49ers Want To Retain RT Colton McKivitz, Have Initiated Extension Talks
49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz signed a one-year extension last March, so he is entering a platform campaign. As opposed to many impending free agents who publicly downplay the appeal of a massive payday, McKivitz is a bit more upfront.
“It is a big deal. You see what guys are getting (paid) now so it’s hard to not be thinking about it, right?” McKivitz said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “It is a lot of money. You’re in the NFL for, obviously, winning and being good. But money is a hard thing to not think about.”
McKivitz, 29, was selected by the Niners in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. He played sparingly over his first three years in the league but was anointed the starting RT in 2023 after Mike McGlinchey defected to the Broncos in free agency.
Just before McGlinchey signed with Denver in March 2023, McKivitz inked a two-year, $4.65MM re-up, and he then agreed to the aforementioned one-year add-on in March 2024.
As such, he has earned “just” $10.27MM in his career to date, and he is due to make $3.19MM in base salary this year. So it stands to reason that he is hungrily eyeing the booming OT market.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the club would like to retain McKivitz, and Branch indicates San Francisco thinks more highly of him than former starting guard Aaron Banks, who was allowed to depart via free agency this offseason. McKivitz, who presently ranks 25th among the league’s right tackles in terms of average annual salary, said the Niners have contacted his agent to discuss an extension, but “nothing crazy is going on at the moment.”
Branch believes the team is likely offering McKivitz far less than what he would stand to earn on the open market. And after accepting several modest deals, McKivitz may have a bigger goal in mind.
In terms of Pro Football Focus’ evaluations, McKivitz improved across the board from 2023 to 2024. His uptick in play was particularly noticeable in his pass-blocking efforts, as he surrendered nine sacks and 59 pressures in 17 games in 2023 but just two sacks and 36 pressures in the same number of games last year. His 72.2 overall PFF grade placed him 37th among 140 offensive tackles.
Further improvement, or even a reprisal of his 2024 performance, should allow McKivitiz to rocket up the RT pay scale.
Lakers’ LeBron James Taking Retirement Decision “Year-by-Year,” Say Analyst
LeBron James is entering his 23rd year in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar recently opted into his $52.6 million player option.
James, 40, showed no signs of slowing down last season. In 70 regular-season games, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. He shot 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from deep.
However, despite such high-level offensive production, James’ eventual retirement remains a discussion point amongst both fans and media alike. In a recent episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted how it would appear James is taking the retirement decision a year at a time.
“Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don’t know,” Windhorst said. “As far as I know, he’s honestly going year to year.”
James is still an elite player in the NBA. He is entering his first full season as the Lakers’ second option behind Luka Doncic. If he has another strong year, it’s hard to envision him walking away from the league. Nevertheless, James’ career is certainly in the final stages, and sooner or later, a decision to step away must be made.
Carmelo Anthony Jokingly Tells James to Retire
In a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Anthony jokingly suggested that James should consider retirement after the upcoming season.
“He’s still going, it’s unbelievable, man,” Anthony said. “That’s my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully, to get his ass up out of there and come on over this side (smiles). Enough is enough. Give it a break.”
James and Anthony both entered the NBA in 2003. They both played for the Lakers together during the 2021-22 season. Unfortunately for Anthony, he and James were unable to win a championship that season, meaning the former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks superstar ended his career without a championship.
Paul Pierce Expects Lakers’ LeBron James to Retire
Former Boston Celtics champion Paul Pierce believes this could be James’s last year in the NBA.
“If I’m a betting man, I think this will be his last season,” Pierce said. “You know, I think he’s played 21, 22 years. He’s been the GOAT for so long. He’s maintained the stats. We appreciate what he brought to the game and how he’s held the mantle since (Michael) Jordan left. Bron is one of them ones. We appreciate him. But I think his time is up. But we appreciate what he’s done for the league.”
Paul Pierce thinks this will be LeBron James last season in the NBA 👀
“He’s been the GOAT for so long, he’s maintained the stats… I think his time is up but we appreciate what he’s done for the league.” pic.twitter.com/Lo15gqbSDE
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 2, 2025
James has achieved everything there is to achieve in the NBA. He also reached his personal goal of sharing the court with his son, Bronny James, last season. However, the draw of contending for a fifth NBA championship is likely keeping James in the league. After all, another championship, especially this late in his career, would further enrich his legacy as an all-time great.
With Doncic on the Lakers, James has a strong chance of reaching that final goal. Whether that happens this season will remain to be seen.
