Another Summer of LeBron Is Here

And what about James himself? Does he plan to still command one of the league’s highest salaries at his age? Or would he take a discount to join a title contender, in Los Angeles or elsewhere?

Bronny James, LeBron’s teammate and oldest son, was asked about his father’s future after Monday’s loss.

“I have no clue,” Bronny told reporters. “I’m not going to lie to you. He looks like he can play another however many years, but he’s been in league for longer than he’s been out of league. It’s insane. I think he should think about it, and whatever he feels happy with, do that.”

Dončić was asked if he plans to try and recruit James and Reaves to return. He missed the entire postseason due to a hamstring strain he suffered in April and was instrumental in Smart signing with the team the previous offseason.

“We’ll see,” Dončić said. “Can’t tell you nothing.”

Giannis Offers Now Being Taken

One domino that could impact James’s future is what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On Monday, ESPN reported that the Bucks are now listening to trade offers on their franchise player, who has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks has been in doubt throughout the NBA season as the team failed to compete for a playoff spot while injuries limited the 6-foot-10 forward to just 36 games.

The news came days after Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said he wanted Antetokounmpo’s situation resolved before June’s draft.

“I just think before the draft is a natural time,” Haslam told reporters. “Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we’ve got to have a lot of assets. That’s [GM Jon Horst’s] job to do. And if he’s here, then you build the team differently.”

Next season, Antetokounmpo will be in the last year of his current contract. In October he is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth $275 million, which will play a major factor in his trade market.

Bucks owner Wes Edens previously said in March that Antetokounmpo would be traded if he doesn’t sign an extension this summer.

Teams are unlikely to move a treasure trove of assets for the 10-time All-Star given his health and contractual status.

The Bucks and Knicks discussed a deal for Antetokounmpo in August, but the talks never grew serious. The 31-year-old would likely want a say in where he’s traded to, which other stars such as Kevin Durant have had in the past.

“Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years,” Haslam told reporters last week. “He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization. We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks.”

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