Team reporter revealed that James will execute the 52.6 million player option, the Lakers may only have 5.7 million mini middle class left, is James last dance coming?

The time has come to late June, and the 2025 NBA offseason has lasted for some time.

During this offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have not had any decent operations so far.

Before the 2025 draft, there were several heavyweight trades in the league, involving 1/3 of the teams in the league.

However, the Lakers were not in a hurry until the second day of the draft, the Lakers used the 36th pick to win the forward Adu Tiero.

The fans are dissatisfied with the current operations of the Lakers management and think that General Manager Pelinka is here to disobey. It is very likely that this offseason will be another stitching and repairing, and there is no operation to end a summer.

Moreover, Lakers fans are still waiting for an important news, whether LeBron James will jump out of the contract and sign again during this offseason, or will execute his contract for the next year.

Because the results of these two decisions are completely different. Re-signing means that James will continue to play. If the contract for the last year is executed, it means that James may consider retirement.

Judging from the current news, it is very likely that James will execute his last year contract.

On June 28, ESPN Lakers' team reporter Dave McMenamin wrote an article reporting on some Lakers' offseason updates.

The Lakers have very limited resources to improve the team's strength this summer.

According to ESPN sources, the only mechanism available to the Lakers in the free agent market is the $5.7 million tax team's middle class special case, as James is expected to execute his last year's $52.6 million contract.

In my opinion, if James really executes his last year's contract, he will likely finish the next season and end his career.

Because, in the past few seasons, James has always signed a 1+1 contract every year, which is to sign a contract for the second year player option, so that he will maintain great flexibility and take the initiative into his own hands at any time.

And if he executes his contract for next season, he gives people the feeling that he will finish his work. James has played for 22 years in his career, which is long enough to be an evergreen in the league.

Now, James has seen his son Brownie James enter the league. As a father, he has paved the way for his son. Next year, James will be 41 years old, and it is really time to consider retirement.

Even in a sense, the Lakers have not been moving, just sending signals, and the Lakers are waiting for James to retire and make room. As long as James executes the contract for the last year, he is likely to play for the last year.

And James's last year's contract also brought a big problem, that is, the Lakers no longer have any room for signing and strengthening. They only have a 5.7 million mini middle class available, and they cannot sign any capable players.

Then, next season's Lakers still do not have the competitiveness of the championship. James was doing a retired tour and ended his career. Like Kobe, he was still at ease.

Some people questioned why James didn't cut his salary? In fact, don’t kidnap James morally. There is no problem with James getting the maximum salary. Besides, even if James cuts his salary, will you, Lakers Pelinka, be sure to bring signings?

Last year, James' salary cut provided the Lakers with a certain amount of space, but in the end, no one of the Lakers signed.

Doncic's transaction was brought to the Mavericks, and it was not considered the Lakers' active signing.

So, it is quite reasonable for James to get the money and put it in the pocket.

Will James' last dance next season? We can wait and see!