It was announced yesterday August 18th, 2022 that LeBron James had signed a two-year $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers with a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season, per NBA.
James was entering the final year of his original contract and there were some rumors that he would be headed home To Cleveland for the third time in his career but it seems now we can put those rumors to bed. With the news of James’ extension, some Cavaliers fans are upset but some are very happy that LeBron isn’t coming home again.
LeBron James’ future up in the air?
Now, why would any fans be happy that their team can’t sign the best player in basketball? The Cleveland Cavaliers have a very exciting young team, and some fans believe that if LeBron would have returned that young team’s development would be stalled.
In the worst-case scenario, fans feared LeBron would have traded all the young players for already established stars hence the nickname “LeGM” as LeBron is rumored to take over any team he is on. On the bright side, even tho the Cavs are not getting a LeBron part three they could be getting a very key young player to resign in Collin Sexton.
What is going on with Sexton?
Collin Sexton only played 11 games for the Cavaliers last season as he went down indefinitely with a knee injury. Sexton was Clevelands’ first lottery pick back when Lebron first joined the Lakers in 2019 and has grown into a scrappy score first guard. Sexton is currently a restricted free agent and has not been happy with the Cavalier’s offers to him so far.
With LeBron James now off the table for next year’s free agency does that make the Cavaliers return to the table with Collin Sexton with a new offer? Collin Sexton was a big part of the Cavs’ fast rebuild and has a great relationship with his teammates and the Cavaliers’ front office. Sexton is an offensive threat every night in every arena but the concern is having two small guards in the backcourt.
Backcourt complications?
Having two smaller players at the one and two spots could be a defensive weakness for the Cavaliers. With the addition of Caris LeVert, last season the Cavs added a solid defender to their backcourt. It will be very interesting to see how things shake out now that LeBron is off the table for the Cavaliers. Will they try to make something work with Sexton? Only time will tell.
Image Credits: Flickr.com.
Amanda Lynne