Superstar forward LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will be eligible to sign a free agent contract this summer. James might depart Los Angeles for another team, but he’s more likely to stay with the Lakers.

James and the Lakers have a monumental summer ahead of them. Keeping James on board is the most important thing the Lakers can accomplish this summer, among many others. Los Angeles still places a high value on The King, even if he is 39 years old. On top of that, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton claims that James is still the most valuable NBA free agent.

James is ranked first among the top 20 free agents according to Pelton.

“A three-year projection for James, who will turn 40 in December, is pushing it,” said Pelton. How good James plays will take a back seat to his desire to play for as long as possible. However, considering James was selected to the All-NBA team this season (and was on my second squad), he will most certainly be the group’s top performer next year (barring ιnjury) and will continue to be valuable for years to come.

Even if there isn’t quite as much quality in this year’s NBA free agency class as there has been in previous ones, there is still plenty to choose from, including All-Stars Tyrese Maxey, DeMar DeRozan, and Paul George. Despite being a restricted free agent, Maxey’s retention with the Philadelphia 76ers seemed all but assured. There is still time for George and DeRozan to negotiate contract extensions before the 2024–25 season begins on July 1.

There is a player option for the four-time NBA champion. Declining it will allow him to sign a new record deal, which is expected to be his final NBA contract.

The upcoming season will be James’ 22nd in the NBA. He has done everything he set out to do and more, yet there is obviously a lot more of him remaining.

Later in December, James will celebrate becoming 40 years old. He continues to be in high demand, and it shows no signs of going away anytime soon.