In the summer of 2024, LeBron James’ future is the focus of the entire NBA.

The 39-year-old star’s contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expires this summer. In fact, LeBron James can still activate the automatic 1-year extension with a salary of $ 51.4 million. If LeBron James does not use this option, he will become a free player.

According to experts, it is likely that LeBron James will not activate the extension clause. The 39-year-old star will want to negotiate with the Lakers for a longer-term contract and a higher salary to ensure his future. Of course, this move will also include the Los Angeles Lakers committing to selecting Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft.

But if the Los Angeles Lakers do not choose this direction, or Bronny James is chosen by another team, then LeBron James’ future will certainly no longer be with the team at Crypto.com Arena.

Why should LeBron James move to Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder is the perfect place to develop Bronny James’ skills.
Over the years, LeBron James has never given up on the idea of ​​playing with his son Bronny for at least a year before retiring.

With Bronny James set to enter the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers are certain to select him to ensure they keep LeBron James. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be an ideal destination if they enter the race. LeBron James himself has admitted that he “will play anywhere” as long as he can play with his son.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder currently owns 3 first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, opening up a great opportunity for them to own Bronny James when needed. Although LeBron James’ eldest son is considered not capable enough to become a good player in the NBA and needs to stay in college for another year, some opinions say that he can still develop well if he is brought to a suitable team.

Rich Paul, LeBron James’ agent, also shared similar thoughts: “I hope he (Bronny James) gets into the team and has a suitable development path.” Oklahoma City Thunder is certainly an ideal destination, because their ability to develop young players has been proven through their success in recent years with Josh Giddey, Jalen Willams, Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams.

Although playing in Oklahoma City is not as famous and well-known as the glamorous Los Angeles, it will be an ideal place to develop Bronny James’ skills.

Oklahoma City Thunder can match LeBron James’ salary

If LeBron James chooses not to renew his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, he will become a free agent in the summer of 2024. With his peak performance at 39 years old, any team that wants to own LeBron James will have to offer a contract worth at least $50 million.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have about $35 million in salary cap space for the 2024/25 season. That’s still not enough for LeBron James to want, but the Oklahoma City Thunder have the flexibility to trade a few bench players to create enough $50 million in salary.

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In addition, the Oklahoma City Thunder can also risk using some players in the squad to exchange with the Los Angeles Lakers in the form of “Sign-and-trade”. That would be the opening move by letting the Lakers re-sign LeBron James and trade this player to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Oklahoma team would have to send some players in the opposite direction to balance the payroll.

With the talented strategists working under CEO Sam Presti, it makes sense that the Oklahoma City Thunder would manage to create a payroll to accommodate the acquisition of LeBron James.

Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James could be together
LeBron James often feels like he doesn’t have enough support from his shooters on the Los Angeles Lakers. That won’t be the case with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a solid three-point shooter averaging at least 37% from the field. Having good three-point shooters forces opponents to extend their defenses, which is crucial to LeBron James’s game.

Even with his style of play changing to suit his team, LeBron James is still shooting an impressive 3-point percentage despite being 39 years old and not a pure long-range shooter. In addition, LeBron James also has an MVP-caliber teammate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by his side, as well as huge development potential in Chet Holmgren. Not to mention, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense is among the best in the NBA.

Not only that, Oklahoma City Thunder also owns the best coach of the 2023/24 season, Mark Daigneault. At the Los Angeles Lakers, many people have pointed out many shortcomings of coach Darvin Ham, causing the team to have extremely regrettable losses. With Mark Daigneault, the ability to change tactics and read the game situation will improve significantly, helping LeBron James not have to play too hard in the long race.

In addition, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a talented team, but what they lack is the courage and experience to compete in the Playoff round. That is something that LeBron James has in abundance after 21 years of fighting in the NBA. A combination of Thunder and LeBron James can help both advance to the NBA Finals and have a chance to compete for the championship