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Though the Lakers lost in the first round to the Timberwolves, LeBron James had a stellar season at age 40. LeBron took on a different role in his 22nd season, serving as more of a secondary option as he deferred to first Anthony Davis and eventually Luka Doncic. He also dialed up his defensive intensity, changing the game as the leader of the defensive attack of the Lakers. But, with the offseason swiftly approaching, questions linger about James's future and if the Lakers have enough to build a contender.
It's almost certain that James will be back for a record 23rd NBA season, but the question remains about if he will take a paycut this offseason to help the Lakers get more key pieces to further build a winner around him and Luka Doncic.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report spoke about the possibilities in the latest edition of the NBA Insider Playbook.
“I think the biggest question is going to be, what does LeBron James do with his player option? He’s got a potential $54 million player option and last summer LeBron was already putting out messages. I had heard from Rich Paul directly that there were certain players, like Klay Thompson, we heard about Jonas Valanciunas, James Harden even, that LeBron would’ve been willing to take a pay cut in order to increase that player's salary. I mean Klay Thompson seems to be the real top target that they wanted and LeBron would have been willing to take a pay cut for.”
Fischer continued, “I wonder if that’s going to be a talking point this summer. I definitely plan to ask people around Klutch and around LeBron because if LeBron is serious about winning a championship with the confines of what team building strategy is now, with both aprons and what have you, the billionaire who is openly trying to lobby Adam Silver to award him a start up franchise, an expansion franchise in Las Vegas, he’s got plenty of flexibility to take less salary.”
Fischer is correct, James was willing to take a paycut to get another impact player to help them further increase their window as a contender. But the Lakers were unable to land a key piece like Klay Thompson or James Harden and LeBron James decided to get his full allotment of money.
Maybe the same conversation could happen this year, as James could help the Lakers make room for a signing such as for current Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner or another huge signing that could further help the team compete in the interim while they prepare for the future.
