2024 NBA free agency - Players to sign, contract predictions - ESPN

The art of negotiating a contract in free agency is not as simple as writing a blank check. A new contract for Paul George should start at his max salary of $49.3 million, but his next team, the LA Clippers or perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers, will negotiate the length and other clauses.

The 34-year old is eligible to sign a four-year contract with either team and can also ask for a no-trade clause with the Clippers.

To show the complexities of negotiating in free agency, I picked 10 free agents, starting with LeBron James, and examined what their next contract should be and picked teams that could give them that deal.

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Kevin Pelton's top-20 free agent ranking: No. 1

The deal I'd offer: Two years, $80 million, including a player option and no-trade clause

Note: James has until June 29 to exercise his $51.4 million player option.

Best free agent fit: Los Angeles Lakers

We should preface this by saying there is a difference between what James should get and what contract would help the Lakers the most. He continues to play as a top-15 player and recently earned All-NBA for a 20th consecutive season. He has earned the right to dictate the length and dollars on his next contract.

But what happens if the next James contract starts at $40 million, $10 million dollars less of the maximum he can earn in the first year?

Such a discount would keep the Lakers well below the second apron even if D'Angelo Russell opts in to his $18.9 million contract or takes less in a new deal. The Lakers could also sign restricted free agent Max Christie and not exceed the threshold. Teams below the second apron also have more flexibility to send out contracts in a trade.

James could, however, point to the fact