Four-time NBA champion LeBron James has refused to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers next season but is working to reach a new deal with the team.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James has declined to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers next season but is working on a new deal with the team, ESPN reported on June 29.

While the decision means James will become a free agent today (June 30), his future with the Lakers is hardly in doubt as the team selected his son – Bronny James in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

According to ESPN, James has turned down a $51.4 million contract for next season to become a free agent and could sign a three-year maximum deal with the Lakers worth $162 million.

According to sources from James’ agent Rich Paul, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is willing to work with the Lakers to reach a sub-max deal that would put the team in a better position to sign an impact player.

“He’s prioritizing improving the roster,” Paul told ESPN. “He’s made it clear that he’s going to do everything he can to improve the Lakers’ situation.”

James has until July 6 to decide whether to renew his contract for the 2024-2025 NBA season. Agent Rich Paul has yet to comment on the matter, while the Lakers did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of ESPN’s report.

In six seasons with the Lakers, LeBron James averaged 27 points, 8.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game.

The Lakers finished seventh in the Western Conference this year with a 47-35 record and lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.