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If LeBron James decides to return to the NBA for another season, he will be an unrestricted free agent. According to multiple reports, James and the Los Angeles Lakers seem to have a mutual interest in working out a deal this summer.
Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The main questions are how much will the Lakers be willing to pay James and how much James will expect to be paid. During the 2025-26 season, James made $52.6 million from the player option he exercised last summer.
But with other players like star guard Austin Reaves also hitting free agency, the Lakers have less to spend on James. Therefore, if James wants to stay with the Lakers, he will likely have to accept a pay cut.
On Thursday’s episode of “Get Up” on ESPN, NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained that the only way James could be willing to accept a pay cut is if the Lakers use the extra money to build a contending team.
“The Lakers have a problem. The Lakers don’t want to lose LeBron James. They don’t want to lose his 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists a game, but they don’t want to pay $50 million for it, because the rest of the league isn’t going to come bidding $50 million. … You’ve got to bring him a reason to take a pay cut and explain that yes, the team was 0-8 against the [Oklahoma City] Thunder this year, but if we acquire this player or these two players with the money you’re going to leave on the table, we can overcome that. I think LeBron would be open to that.
“But the concept that he’s just not as good anymore and he’s only worth $30 million instead of $50 million, you’re not getting that from LeBron James. LeBron doesn’t believe in that. I don’t expect him to accept that. If you’re the Lakers, if you force LeBron to leave, he’ll go somewhere else and play for less money. He won’t want to stay for the Lakers and play for less money if he thinks it’s an insult,” Windhorst said.
If James decides to sign with another team, the four-time NBA champion has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers are the least likely to land James. The main benefit of signing with the Clippers would be that James could stay in LA even if a deal does not work out with the Lakers.
Signing with the Cavaliers would allow James to finish his career in his hometown, while signing with the Warriors would give James a chance to battle for one last NBA championship.
For now, the NBA is waiting to learn if James will even return for another season or if he is retiring.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Insider Says LeBron James Could Be Open to Pay Cut With Lakers Under One Condition appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The main questions are how much will the Lakers be willing to pay James and how much James will expect to be paid. During the 2025-26 season, James made $52.6 million from the player option he exercised last summer.
But with other players like star guard Austin Reaves also hitting free agency, the Lakers have less to spend on James. Therefore, if James wants to stay with the Lakers, he will likely have to accept a pay cut.
On Thursday’s episode of “Get Up” on ESPN, NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained that the only way James could be willing to accept a pay cut is if the Lakers use the extra money to build a contending team.
“The Lakers have a problem. The Lakers don’t want to lose LeBron James. They don’t want to lose his 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists a game, but they don’t want to pay $50 million for it, because the rest of the league isn’t going to come bidding $50 million. … You’ve got to bring him a reason to take a pay cut and explain that yes, the team was 0-8 against the [Oklahoma City] Thunder this year, but if we acquire this player or these two players with the money you’re going to leave on the table, we can overcome that. I think LeBron would be open to that.
“But the concept that he’s just not as good anymore and he’s only worth $30 million instead of $50 million, you’re not getting that from LeBron James. LeBron doesn’t believe in that. I don’t expect him to accept that. If you’re the Lakers, if you force LeBron to leave, he’ll go somewhere else and play for less money. He won’t want to stay for the Lakers and play for less money if he thinks it’s an insult,” Windhorst said.
If James decides to sign with another team, the four-time NBA champion has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers are the least likely to land James. The main benefit of signing with the Clippers would be that James could stay in LA even if a deal does not work out with the Lakers.
Signing with the Cavaliers would allow James to finish his career in his hometown, while signing with the Warriors would give James a chance to battle for one last NBA championship.
For now, the NBA is waiting to learn if James will even return for another season or if he is retiring.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Insider Says LeBron James Could Be Open to Pay Cut With Lakers Under One Condition appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
