LEBRON JAMES can take his talents elsewhere by declining a $51.4-million option in his contract for the 2024-25 season before Sunday’s deadline, but the Lakers are looking to reroute the 39-year-old back to Los Angeles with a new three-year max offer, according to ESPN.

Mr. James can be offered no more than a three-year deal under the NBA’s rule limiting the length of contracts teams can offer players over age 38.

That caps the three-year offer the Lakers can make to Mr. James at a maximum $162 million. The first step is his player option, although he can decline the option, test free agency and opt for a short-term deal if that’s his preference.

“We want to respect and honor LeBron’s ability on June 29^th to make a decision about his contract,” Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.

A 20-time All-Star set to turn 40 on Dec. 30, Mr. James and new head coach JJ Redick were co-hosts of a popular podcast “Mind the Game” last season and clearly have a rapport with shared thinking about key parts of player development and team culture.

Mr. Pelinka said Tuesday that Mr. James was “supportive” of the Lakers’ search but opted not to be overly involved, which is the opposite of the approach taken by All-Star teammate Anthony Davis.

Mr. Redick turned 40 on Tuesday and the first-time head coach claimed he had only a brief conversation with Mr. James this week after being offered the spot held by Darvin Ham the past two seasons.

With maximum cap space available, the Philadelphia 76ers are considered a looming threat to the Lakers if Mr. James opts out of his contract. The Sixers are among teams showing the greatest interest in James’ oldest son, USC guard Bronny James, before the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. — Reuters

MUNICH, Germany — Denmark secured a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2024 with a nervy 0-0 draw in Munich on Tuesday against Serbia — who head home after coming bottom of Group C — and will next face three-time European champion Germany.

The Danes — knowing they only needed a draw to move into the next phase — had more chances with Christian Eriksen pulling the strings from midfield, but were unable to turn that into a goal in their third draw of the tournament.

Denmark finish second in the group with Slovenia third, but both sides go through. The two teams finished level on points, goal difference, goals scored and disciplinary record but Denmark finished higher due to the next tiebreaker of who had the best qualifying ranking.

“It’s going to be great against Germany,” Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel said of the last-16 match in Dortmund on Saturday. “If we don’t believe in our chances, we might as well go home.”

Serbia defended stoutly for long periods, but could not provide opportunities for veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty several times. They came fourth in the group with two points from two draws.

Both teams had goals disallowed, Denmark for a corner that went out of play and Serbia for offside.

Serbia’s Dusan Tadic called the result a huge disappointment and a failure while Mr. Mitrovic lamented the talented side’s inability to create chances.

“We did not create enough chances to score the goal and that cost us,” Mr. Mitrovic said. “It is a bitter feeling. It is the worst when you are so near and you can do it and at the end you fail. We are emotionally drained.”

The Danes enjoyed substantial possession in the opening period against a Serbia side needing a victory to have a chance of making the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Mr. Eriksen, who set a record for most appearances for Denmark with his 133^rd international game, had a shot saved in the first half and was the main attacking threat throughout.

“They had to go forward to score while we already had a result at 0-0 and for that reason we were a bit passive at the end,” Mr. Eriksen said. “It’s surreal to stand here with 133 caps, it’s completely insane. I never dreamed of that.”

Tennis champion Novak Djokovic cheered on Serbia whose fans showed their displeasure throughout the night by throwing plastic cups onto the pitch.

Despite a boisterous atmosphere created by both sets of supporters, the match itself only offered occasional moments of excitement.

Serbia soaked up the pressure in the first half, looking to mainly counter, but they rarely threatened and had more of the ball after the break.

Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic brought on Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic at the start of the second half and his side almost broke the deadlock moments after the break. Mr. Jovic later put the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Denmark had 10 total attempts in the match compared to five for Serbia who finished with three strikers as they frantically searched for the goal that would keep them in the tournament.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand subbed off Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and midfielder Morten Hjulmand to bring on fresh legs and preserve the draw. But Mr. Hjulmand will miss the next match after he picked up a second booking of the group stage. — Reuters

DORTMUND, Germany — A Kylian Mbappé penalty was canceled out by Robert Lewandowski’s spot kick as already-eliminated Poland held France to a nervy 1-1 draw in Dortmund on Tuesday, meaning the French finish second in Group D.

Mr. Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 56^th minute with his first European Championship goal — and the first scored by a French player at Euro 2024 — when he calmly slotted home a penalty given for Jakub Kiwior’s clumsy challenge on Ousmane Dembele.

However, Dayot Upamecano brought down Polish substitute Karol Swiderksi, which allowed Mr. Lewandowski to level from the spot in the 79^th minute — after his first effort was saved by Mike Maignan, who was adjudged to have advanced off his line too early.

With Austria then grabbing a later winner against the Dutch, the draw means France finish second in Group D behind Austria and will face whoever comes second in Group E, where Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points. — Reuters