If the Phoenix Suns are to land LeBron James in the summer, they will have to dig deep into their pockets. According to the Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward’s agent, Rich Paul, there is no way that his client will go to the Suns on a relatively paltry contract, per draft expert Jonathan Givony of ESPN (h/t Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic)
In an interview with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, the agent of LeBron James said his client isn’t “going to Phoenix for a minimum deal” as James can decline a $51.4 million player option to become a free agent.
The first step for James to take if he is to play for the Suns – or any other team outside of the Lakers beginning in the 2024-25 campaign– is to decide against picking up his player option worth over $51 million for the next season.
LeBron James still has plenty of gas left in the tank
![LeBron James' Agent Shoots Down 1 Wild Phoenix Suns Scenario for Los Angeles Lakers Superstar 1 NBA, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22333061_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
Despite just several months away from turning 40 years old, the four-time league Most Valuable is still expected to perform at a high level for whichever team he suits up for in his 22nd season in the NBA.
The Suns have been rumored as a potential landing spot for James in the offseason, but Phoenix doesn’t have a good outlook on their payroll. The Suns are one of four teams who are over the second tax apron.
James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while shooting efficiently from the floor, going 54 percent from the field and hitting 41 percent of shots from the 3-point region.
![LeBron James' Agent Shoots Down 1 Wild Phoenix Suns Scenario for Los Angeles Lakers Superstar 2 LeBron James](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23148254-scaled-e1718310623438.jpg)
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