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Dave McMenamin
L Segundo, California. – Whereas Lebron James Enters its eighth season with Los Angeles Lakers In a contract year, the future of coach JJ Radic with the team is very clear after signing an extension.
Lack of a long-term agreement between Lakes and 40-year-old James, who opted for $ 52.6 million for the 2025–26 season in June, has speculated about the future of the superstar with the team to open the training camp next week.
Rob Pelinka, chairman and general manager of the basketball operation, on Thursday insisted that Laks is expected to stay in the Lebron business until the champion wants to stay with him four times.
Pelinka said in her season-opening news conference, “The first thing we want to do in the context of Lebron and her future only gives her full respect to choosing her story with her family, how many years he continues to play.” “He has acquired this right.”
Pelinka said that Lacs created a “actually competitive, strong team” with which James and both have to win for both Luca donic,
GM said he would avoid James, who is entering a record-setting in the 23rd season, on the question of how much time he intended to play before retiring. The team’s media day is Monday.
Pelinka was then asked whether Lack would be interested in re -signing James in summer of 2026, if he decided on the point that he wanted to expand his career.
Pelinka said, “We would love if the story of Lebron she would retire,” Pelinka said, “Echoing a feeling that he has shared earlier.” “This will be a positive story.”
While James’ future lives in the flux, Pelinka announced the team’s commitment to Radic, its second year coach, who signed a four -year deal in June 2024. Although the terms of the new deal were not announced, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that it was a multier extension.
“Just to clarify that he is a basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance,” Pelinka told Radic about Prerna after winning 50 games and achieved the number 3 seed at the Western Conference in his first season as a coach.
Pelinka said that the decision came to a “confidence and trust” in the pre -15 -year -old NBA veteran, who joined the back head coaching experience.
“We think he is a special coach with a special voice that is actually helping us define the culture of excellence,” Pelinka said. “We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe, what we are going to do and our players who are going to mold because we continue to develop identity. I think it is helpful to make long -term planning because we build this team and move forward.”
Radic thanked Pelinka, but acting governor Governor Jenny Bus and the owner of the new lax Mark Walter for the opportunity.
Radic said on Thursday, “This is not lost on me, such a rareness to receive the first head coach in a detail.” “I believe how lucky I am in an organization that supports me in that way.”
Radic talked about joining with James and Donic during summer and expressed confidence in both coming in the season.
,[James is] Mentally in a great place and know that he is going to give us his best best, “Radic said.” … I expect the best version of Luka, and it is my job as a coach to bring it out on a daily basis. ,
Radic offered less clarity to the players who would surround the Star Tendem, the rest of the beginning of their beginnings as they made a year ago.
“It’s not as important to me,” Radic asked about the beginning. “I have not spent a ton of a ton of it. We definitely have many players-seven or eight starter-level players in NBA. I know that last year. And that initial lineup started eight games together to start the season and we started 24 lineups throughout the year.
“Before we do one practice, we are not going to spend too much time to beat my head against the wall on it.”
