The contract year is a critical time for NBA players. As long as you play well in a contract year, you can get a big contract. For the team, those superstars who are in the contract year are even more of a favorite in the market, dubbed "big fish" by the media and fans. Outstanding stars like Harden, Thompson, Siakam and others are all in contract years this year. But there is one star who has been overlooked by the outside world, and he is James.
Lao Zhan completed an early contract extension with the Lakers in 2022, when he signed a two-year, $97.1 million super-cap salary with the Lakers. James' annual salary this season has reached $47.61 million, making him one of the most valuable stars in the league. James' salary next season is $51.42 million, but James has a player option next season. So after playing this year, Lao Zhan can jump out of the contract and continue to seek the top salary. At the age of 39, is James still worth a 100 million yuan contract?
First, its own strength
The average player is 39 years old, already old, and close to retirement. However, James is an evergreen player, and despite being 39 years old, he still maintains a superstar performance. So far this season, he has played 34 games, playing an average of 35 minutes per game, and can hit 25.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists. High attendance, long playing time, and well-rounded performance. Not only that, but he also shot 40% from three-point range. Such data, efficiency and attendance, put on any player, it is a proper maximum salary.
Second, James's aura
James has always had an aura, and that is the attraction to free agents. The Lakers have been rebuilding for many years and have always been shrimp soldiers and crab generals, and James has quickly formed a strong team in the past 18 years and successfully won the championship. Because James is very attractive, on the one hand, superstar players are willing to join forces with James, as long as they partner with James, they have the opportunity to impact the championship. On the other hand, role players are also keen to be teammates with James. Because by James' side, as long as you play well, you can go out and get a big contract, and Monk, Lonnie Walker and others have also proved this.
3. James' ability to absorb gold
James is one of the most profitable players in the NBA, as well as the most popular star. This also means that the team with James does not have to worry about the ability to attract money. As long as James is signed, the team's tickets don't have to worry, and the attendance is full. Don't worry about the sales of jerseys and peripherals, Lao Zhan is always in the top three. Because James is full of influence, the team will also get more attention, and the market value will also rise. From a business point of view, signing James is definitely not a loss.
On the whole, whether from the perspective of player strength, team building considerations or business ideas, signing James with a 100 million yuan contract is worth it. The 39-year-old James, if he jumps out of the contract, is likely to seek a new contract of about 100 million for 2 years, and the major teams in the league will undoubtedly throw olive branches.