“‘I’m not playing no games, I’m not just trying to get money and then leave you hanging’” - Chris Broussard on what LeBron James thinks when he signs with a team, says he’s always played out his contracts
LeBron James has been the catalyst for player empowerment in the NBA. James has played 19 seasons and has never left a team midway through a contract. The four-time NBA champion has only left a team via free agency after delivering a title.
On The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker, Broussard praised James for always staying true to his word and playing out his contract.
"People like to put all this at the feet of LeBron James. Yeah, he did start player empowerment but Rob, you gotta admit this. LeBron has always played out a contract, never demanded a trade, or asked for a trade when he's still under contract."
"And when LeBron wanted flexibility, what did he do? One-year deal. 'I'm not playing no games. I'm not just trying to get money and then leave you hanging.' One year deal so you know, and I know that you know you got me for one year, and we will reevaluate after that."
Broussard then shifted his focus to Kevin Durant and criticized the forward for requesting a trade from Brooklyn despite having four years left on his contract.
"We're not gonna praise Kevin Durant for taking the money from Brooklyn, and then before the extension even starts you're out of there, or you wanna be. C'mon. Sign a one-year deal. If you're not sure, sign a one-year deal."
Durant signed a four-year extension with the Nets in the 2021 offseason but could depart before it even kicks in.
LeBron James is entering the final year of his contract with the LA Lakers
James joined the LA Lakers in the 2018 offseason and led them to a championship in 2020. But the Lakers have had little success since. The 2022-23 season could be his final year with the franchise.
James has expressed his desire to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA, so he might end up joining whichever team signs his son.
Bronny will be eligible for the 2023 draft by when the Lakers forward will be an unrestricted free agent.
.@KingJames current contract ends in 2023, the same year Bronny is eligible for the @NBA Draft. 👀
What team do you want to see go all-in for the father-son duo? 🤔 https://t.co/yf489JEnE3