Reportedly, no NBA team is willing to pay LeBron James $50+ million for next season, with the Lakers also open to keeping him if he agrees to a significant pay cut.
There is still plenty of speculation about how and where LeBron James will finish his illustrious NBA career.
LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James
MIN: 33.39
PTS: 21.14 (56.96%)
REB: 5.84
AS: 6.82
ST: 1.16
BL: 0.58
TO: 3
GM: 50
It once seemed that his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers would definitely be over after this season, especially amid reported dysfunction in his relationship with the organization. However, the Lakers' current win streak and the positive momentum surrounding the team have reopened the possibility of him continuing his career in Los Angeles.
That said, such a scenario would come with one major condition.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, no team in the league is willing to offer LeBron a $50+ million deal for next season. As a result, he would likely need to take a significant pay cut regardless of where he plays.
This also applies to the Lakers, who would most likely be open to bringing LeBron back for another season - provided it's at a reduced salary.
"The sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50M anywhere is probably gone, but if (LeBron) is willing to play for less, and if that fits with what (the Lakers) are trying to do, I think that door is open," Shelburne said on NBA Today.
In his 23rd NBA season, LeBron remains highly impactful, averaging 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in around 33 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers sit third in the Western Conference with a 46–25 record and look like a team capable of making a deep playoff run.
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