Did LeBron James make a mistake by signing extension with Los Angeles Lakers?

Was signing a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers a mistake? 

The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a far-from-ideal start to this season and many are wondering (including Richard Jefferson) if LeBron James has made a massive mistake in signing a contract extension so early with the team.

Before what would have been his final season with the team, LeBron elected to sign a two-year contract extension with the Lakers this past summer. A move that was widely expected but the timing was a bit surprising.

And the question that has been circulating once it became evident that the Lakers were going to struggle this season revolved around whether LeBron made a mistake by re-signing with the Lakers somewhat prematurely.

What LeBron James wants at this point in his career

Before we can call a decision made by LeBron a mistake or not, we have to try and put ourselves in his shoes. And part of doing that calls on us to try and figure out what LeBron is searching for and expecting at this point in his career.

At the age of 37 (and soon to be 38), what matters most to LeBron? He already has won four NBA championships. Is that enough or is winning the title still the most important thing for LeBron?

Or is a healthy and thriving family/business (outside of basketball) life more important at this point in his career? In his prime, I don’t think there’s any way LeBron signs a contract extension a year early. Look at his stints in Cleveland (twice) and in Miami. In each of those situations, he used his impending free agency to apply pressure on the franchises to improve the roster.

LeBron could’ve easily done that this season. He could’ve said, look, I’m not signing an extension until you trade those two future first-round picks to upgrade the roster. And, if you don’t, I’m going to head into free agency next summer.

That’s not what he did, though. Instead, LeBron put pen to paper and sign an extension through 2023-24. He has another player option for 2024-25.

I’m not saying LeBron is no longer chasing championships but it may not be the most important thing in his mind at this point in his career. If so, then I don’t think you can categorize signing an early extension with the Lakers as a mistake.