Lakers rumors: Insider sets July 1 deadline for LeBron James decision before LA’s hand is forced

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Lakers rumors: Insider sets July 1 deadline for LeBron James decision before LA’s hand is forced appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here . With Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James potentially returning for a 24th season, his contract has given the team an interesting dilemma, leading them to have to wait for a decision from the 41-year-old.

As James potentially heads into free agency with the Lakers in mind , insider Brian Windhorst gives the superstar a tentative deadline. James would ponder a critical decision coming in the offseason, with him even saying that it could come in July or as late as August, as Windhorst mentioned, which caught the attention of teams in the league. However, while James has deserved the time to decide, as Windhorst mentions, a $58 million cap hold is on Los Angeles until a decision is made.

Brian Windhorst puts out July 1 deadline for Lakers’ LeBron James This led to Windhorst saying that James should make up his mind by July 1, or the Lakers could renounce his rights, which would shock the analyst. “He could wait until September and announce he wants to play, and there will be teams beating down his door to sign him, but if he wants to sign with the Lakers for any significant amount of money, he’s probably going to make up his mind by mid to late-June,” Windhorst said. “Number one, maybe he signs for $58 million, maybe he signs for $28 million, maybe he signs for $10 million,” Windhost continued.

“Or, and look, this is just reality. This is not, I don’t think, meant to be insulting or anything. If the Lakers don’t get a clear answer from LeBron by July 1, they may have to renounce his rights and say, ‘LeBron, we have to move on, we have to plan for next season,’ and then that money would just come off their books.