Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers News – LeBron James To Not Consider Pay Cut if He Returns to Lakers Next Season

Last year, James took a discount of $2.7 million while re-signing with the Lakers.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

As the Los Angeles Lakers head into a longer offseason than expected, they will have a lot of tasks on their hands. After facing a first-round NBA playoffs exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers would first aim to improve their team and build a strong squad around their new acquisition, Luka Doncic. Their superstar LeBron James will also have a lot of time to think about his future- if he would like to return to play another season or not.

While there is still no clarity about his future, one thing is certain- he wouldn’t take another pay cut as he did last season. According to a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Jovan Buha, while James was willing to take a pay cut last season to help the Lakers avoid the second apron hard cap, he is ‘not expected’ to make such sacrifices, should he play in 2025.

James has a player option for the 2025-26 season worth around $52 million, and if he wants to pull in that money, he could do so without having the need to discuss with the franchise.

Lakers’ Salary-Cap Restrictions Likely To Be A Trouble In Their Pursuit of a Center

Last year, the 21-time NBA All-Star took a discount of $2.7 million while re-signing with the Lakers so that the team could make roster moves while staying under the second apron. Not only this, but there were reports that stated that the 40-year-old was willing to take a larger cut if this would have helped the team land an impact player such as Klay Thompson or James Harden. However, the Lakers couldn’t sign any of them and James signed for closer to his max.

Also Read: ‘That Ain’t My Job’ – LeBron James Washes His Hands Off Luka Doncic’s Contract Extension Drama

But heading into the next season, the 17-time champions are in dire need of a Center, considering how their front-court issues were badly exposed against the Timberwolves. However, according to the report by Amick and Buha, their salary-cap restrictions would be an issue in their pursuit of a Center.

The report states, “The Lakers’ salary-cap restrictions will make the big man pursuit difficult, as they will either have to trade for him or sign him by way of the taxpayer mid level exception (projected to start at $5.7 million).”

The team has a few expiring contracts which can be offered in a trade, including guard Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber. However, it is to be seen if they are enough to bring in the kind of players the team needs from the trade market. Anyway, it is just early May, and the team as well as James have time till late June 2025 to consider their moves.

Also Read: “Take Your Craft Seriously”- Alan Hahn Advises Luka Doncic to ‘Grow Up’ After Lakers Suffer First-Round Playoff Exit

LeBron James

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.