LeBron James
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is playing in his 23rd NBA season.
The end of this NBA season will see LeBron James becoming the biggest story regarding his future. LeBron’s contract expires with the Los Angeles Lakers, and there is still speculation if he will return or retire. Most expect James to return for one more season since he’s not used this year to have a retirement tour.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed on First Take that he believes LeBron is willing to take a pay cut for the right situation:
“If LeBron is willing to play next season and he’s willing to take a pay cut – which I suspect he may be open to, and I have good reason to believe he’ll do that. The world opens up. Maybe he stays in LA, and they use that money that comes off of his salary to go get another player.
Maybe he goes to another team, like Cleveland, that could be ready. This is not about LeBron going away with irrelevance. It’s potentially about one last amazing moment, if he’s able to do it.”
Windhorst has followed James throughout his career and often has a stronger insight into LeBron than most other reporters. The belief of James taking a pay cut for his next contract would see him wanting to help the team add talent to contend.
Does This Help Lakers Retain LeBron?
A report came out today about the Lakers hoping to keep LeBron if he was willing to take a pay cut. Windhorst’s comment should help their hopes since previous reports have made it look unlikely that he would stay in Los Angeles under any realistic scenario.
James would have to vouch for the Lakers’ other moves that they use with the extra money freed up from his salary. However, recent rumors of Jeanie Buss clashing with LeBron and James not liking the Lakers standing pat at the trade deadline still complicates his return.
Smart money would suggest that LeBron would look for a new scenario where he joins a team already set up to contend. A cheap contract in free agency would make it easier for James to join the roster and not harm them via losing too many talents to afford him.
LeBron Has Rarely Ever Accepted Pay Cuts
Recent history has seen LeBron looking to get a max contract and ensuring he gets the best possible contract. The Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers both have paid James top star money to keep him on their roster from 2014 to 2026.
One instance of LeBron agreeing to a slight pay cut saw him joining the Miami Heat to form the big three. James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all had to sacrifice money to make the salary cap work. However, LeBron changed his stance after that tenure in favor of the money.
Windhorst named Cleveland as the best possible option to sign James after rumors of this happening started circulating. The Cavaliers have four current players on the roster making noteworthy money, so LeBron would likely have to take a pay cut to make it happen. Windhorst referenced that James looking to end his career with one more amazing run would be the motivation.