LeBron James is reportedly prepared to reduce his salary by $16 million to help the Los Angeles Lakers enhance their team for a championship run.
This decision underscores his commitment to building a competitive squad, even at this advanced stage of his remarkable career.
“To enable the Lakers to fully utilize the midlevel exception, LeBron would need to forgo $16 million next season. That’s a substantial amount, especially for a 39-year-old player.
This isn’t just about minor improvements, it would require signing a star or borderline star who would also need to accept a pay cut. That’s the level of sacrifice LeBron is considering.”
Chris Haynes reports that Rich Paul, James’s agent, confirmed the salary cut would only occur if it leads to acquiring an “impact player.” Potential targets include Klay Thompson and James Harden, who would also need to accept reduced salaries to join under these conditions.
Our @BleacherReport livestream on LeBron James considering taking significantly less to help Lakers secure a star player. pic.twitter.com/6NcSRBYm2Z
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 29, 2024
LeBron James opted out of his $51.4 million contract, allowing for the possibility of re-signing at a lower rate, potentially around $33 million for the 2024-25 season. This would enable the Lakers to use the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception, approximately $12.9 million, to secure a high-impact player who could significantly boost the team’s performance.
LeBron’s decision to take a salary cut is more than just financial, it’s about assembling the right team to ensure the Lakers are serious contenders. The team has already made strategic moves, including hiring JJ Redick as head coach, drafting Dalton Knecht, and selecting Bronny James with the 55th pick, uniting him with his father.