![David Zalubowski FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James pulls in the ball in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. James is not opting into what would have been a $51.4 million contract for this coming season and instead will seek a new deal with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision said Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/d3198a06abd24a00a286ede6316b63b2/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x&wm=false)
FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James pulls in the ball in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. James is not opting into what would have been a $51.4 million contract for this coming season and instead will seek a new deal with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision said Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
![David Zalubowski FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures for a call in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. James is not opting into what would have been a $51.4 million contract for this coming season and instead will seek a new deal with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision said Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/bf9fa419a66a4f77a5826fbcbc9e7dd2/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x&wm=false)
FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures for a call in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. James is not opting into what would have been a $51.4 million contract for this coming season and instead will seek a new deal with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision said Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)