LeBron James is a 'driving force'. Rob Pelinka's first words after extension

LeBron James just signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This new deal guarantees the team they'll have their best player for at least two more years with a third one on option. It also means that the $97 million will make the ‘King’ become the highest-earning player in NBA history, as he will surpass Kevin Durant. In the Lakers press release regarding LeBron's contract, general manager, Rob Pelinka, gave a meaningful statement.

“LeBron is a generational basketball player who has proven to be even more impactful as a human being,” Pelinka said. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with him, ensuring he’s a driving force of Lakers culture for years to come. The Lakers platform has proved again and again to be an ideal place for the game’s all-time greats to thrive and achieve." LeBron will enter his fifth NBA campaign wearing the Lakers jersey this 2022-23 season.

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Pelinka also commented that LeBron James is already a top player in basketball history. He can now hope his legacy continues to grow as a Laker player, such as Magic, Kareem, Kobe and Shaq among others. "We are thankful LeBron has experienced the power of that. With his transcendent talent, unrivaled passion, and dedication to causing powerful change in our society, LeBron continues to cement his legacy in Los Angeles and around the globe.”

LeBron James certainly changed the culture in Los Angeles once he arrived. It's true that he has been through a tough stretch as a Lakers member, missing the playoffs twice (he had only missed the playoffs twice in his 15 years prior). Still, the Lakers were a complete mess before the ‘King's' arrival. They had missed the playoffs five years in a row, even finishing with the worst record in the whole NBA. Now they are at least competing to reach the playoffs.

Was signing LeBron James to an extension the right call?

The Lakers had no other choice but to sign LeBron to an extension. It might not be the right decision as LeBron is entering his 20th season at age 38 and it seems he can no longer stay healthy. Last season he missed almost 30 games and he has averaged the same since he joined the Purple and Gold. Still, the team no longer has first round picks to rebuild. So they had to build around free agency and wait until LeBron can't go any more.