LeBron James Already Has a Request for Next Lakers Contract.

The NBA regular season will shortly come to a conclusion, and the postseason will start. The Los Angeles Lakers are battling for a postseason berth in the crowded Western Conference.

LeBron James has been considering his future in Los Angeles during those high-stress games.

With this season’s player option expiring, James will probably choose to exercise it and become a free agent. Although he has stated that he wants to remain in Los Angeles, he has already made a request for his next contract with the Lakers.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says James wants a no-trade clause in his contract but also thinks he opts out.

According to Windhorst, “I think LeBron is going to opt out no matter what, and the reason I think he’s going to opt out no matter is because even if he just signs back for one year, the only functional way for LeBron to get a no-trade clause is to sign a new contract” .

“He cannot get a no-trade clause if he extends the contract he is in, or if he picks that option and extends onto it,” Windhorst continued. LeBron would likely want a no-trade provision, ask for one, and get it for a variety of reasons.

James has maintained his domination in the Purple and Gold since joining the Lakers in 2018. The 39-year-old has made LA the hub of the basketball world since moving here, becoming the all-time scoring leader in NBA history and leading the Lakers to their 17th championship in team history.

You can’t blame him for wanting to include that no-trade provision in his next deal, but he looks to carry on with it moving ahead.

But for now, the Lakers have more pressing matters to attend to. They are now just +1600 to make the NBA Finals on FanDuel Sportsbook and are in the Western Conference play-in mix.