Quick Bytes
- LeBron James considered a pay cut for the Lakers to sign top free agents.
- Lakers failed to secure James Harden, Jonas Valanciunas, and Klay Thompson.
- LeBron may now opt for a full max contract with the Lakers.
- DeMar DeRozan remains a potential signing for which LeBron might take a pay cut.
LeBron James’ Lakers Contract and Free Agency Moves
LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar, had initially shown a willingness to take a pay cut to help the team acquire significant free agents.
James provided the Lakers with a list of desired players, including James Harden, Jonas Valanciunas, and Klay Thompson, with Thompson being a prime target. Despite efforts and a personal call from James, Thompson chose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. With the Lakers missing out on these key players and the free agency options dwindling, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that LeBron might now sign a full max contract. James’ agent, Rich Paul, had previously indicated that LeBron would not take a substantial pay cut for just any player.
As LeBron heads to Las Vegas for Team USA training camp, his contract situation is expected to be resolved. Without new signings, the Lakers may look to trades for improvement, leveraging tradable contracts and future first-round picks. However, there’s still a chance LeBron could take a pay cut if the Lakers pursue DeMar DeRozan, who is rumored to be leaving the Chicago Bulls and has been linked to the Lakers for some time.
