Returning to Cleveland would force LeBron James to accept the biggest salary cut in NBA history.
Reuniting with the Cleveland Cavaliers next offseason would require LeBron James embracing a historic financial sacrifice.
LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James
MIN: 33.32
PTS: 21.73 (56.22%)
REB: 5.73
AS: 7.16
ST: 1.08
BL: 0.54
TO: 3.08
GM: 37
As speculations continue swirling about James and the Cavaliers reconnecting again, the four-time league MVP would have to take the biggest pay cut in the NBA record books to fulfill it, per HoopsHype's Frank Urbina.
James, who holds an expiring $52.6 million contract with the LA Lakers and is set to become a free agent, can only ink a significantly lower amount due to the Cavaliers' cap constraints.
"But if the rumors are true and James does leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer to head home and join the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third time in his career, the pay cut James will likely have to take will be a monstrous one," Urbina wrote. "Because barring a shocking, unexpected Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley trade, the Cavs will be hampered by the tax apron, which would leave them with just the veteran minimum to offer James.
"That would give James a salary of $3.9 million for 2026-27, approximately $48.73 million less than he made in his final season with the Lakers. That would be the biggest such reduction in league history."
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.