LeBron James is rumored to be leaning toward opting into the final year of his Lakers contract, and one prominent writer feels it would be a bad move.

Many former players have made the leap to the NBA media, including legends such as Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Dwyane Wade, Kendrick Perkins, JJ Redick, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Even Michael Jordan has joined the media after recently signing a contract with NBC to provide exclusive coverage.

LeBron James didn't sign a max contract when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010. Instead, he took slightly less as a way to help Miami put the best possible roster around him. They won two championships in the years that followed,