How does Legend exit? James contract problem!

In the summer of 2025, the 40-year-old James ushered in his 23rd season of his career. This is the greatest legendary superstar who is currently in a stable contract with the Lakers. However, compared with his peak period, James has indeed declined significantly, and the Lakers have achieved nothing in their performance in recent seasons.

40-year-old James still averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game last season, his explosive power has dropped significantly and his offense and defense conversion speed has slowed down significantly. Compared with talented stars such as Wanban Yama and Doncic in the league, James can no longer rely on his physical talent to dominate the game alone.

Compared with the team's performance and team record, what is more realistic is James' salary structure. He earns as much as 50 million this season and has a player option in the coming year. For the Lakers, this contract almost locks down the future salary elasticity and gives the team extremely limited room for reinforcement.

Under the new version of the labor-capital agreement, the league's luxury tax penalties are becoming increasingly strict. If the Lakers management wants to continue to build a higher-powered championship lineup, they will inevitably make difficult choices. This is also the key to the recent rumors that James left the team.

Before the rumors about James, the Lakers were already attracting attention. They made a big move to Los Angeles. This move is not only a reinforcement, but also paving the way for the post-James era. Before the next season, even if James is still wearing the Lakers jersey, his core position will inevitably be required to give way, basically symbolizing the end of a Lakers era.

But, is it really possible that James will be traded to leave the team? From the perspective of business value and team culture, this is definitely not an easy thing.

From a personal point of view, James is not just a player now, but more of a label brand in the NBA. He brought the Lakers a championship in the quarantine park, allowing this giant team to return to the moment of glory, and also resulting in Kobe's star effect, constantly attracting other players to join.

In comparison, James' value is not only on the court, but also involves the off-court commercial market. If the Lakers choose to send James away before James retires, they will inevitably face great public opinion discussion and business risks.

But back to the perspective of the professional league, we still need to return to a basic question: How should great players like

turn around and leave?

Looking at NBA history, many superstars' old age were accompanied by struggle and sadness. Jordan left a late performance in the Wizards that was far inferior to the Bulls; Kobe's combat power declined due to injury in the last few seasons, and the Lakers once became the bottom of the league. In contrast, if James is willing to choose to turn around and leave, he may end his career with a more elegant attitude.

But James also has different things. As a pride in heaven, James' self-awareness and competitive desire have never faded. Even in the last stage of his career, he still longs to be on the same stage with his son Brownie. He is still trying to challenge his 21-year-old soul with his 40-year-old body. This unyielding spirit also makes him turn around and step down. The road of turning and stepping down seems more and more difficult and complicated.

Summary, James is still the greatest super player in history, but his way of exiting may not be as gorgeous as he wishes.

If the Lakers really choose to give up James for the sake of future considerations, this is definitely a cruel enough reality; and if James can actively choose to accept the role change, he will become more spiritual leaders and traders at critical moments, and give most opportunities to others, and perhaps he can still use another way to complete his own basketball finish.

For this type of superstar, the so-called gorgeous turnaround does not necessarily mean playing all the games. They can also be seniors who applaud their young teammates on the bench and become the spiritual leader of the team.

In any case, we will wait and see whether James will still be a Lakers player in the 2025-2026 season, and how his final performance will be on and off the court.