The free agency of LeBron James is one of the major dominos for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. L.A. can offer him more than any other team of interest to him, but the question is will they make that type of offer, and will James seek to play elsewhere if they don’t.
James has said that he is taking his time with any decision-making this offseason, even hinting that it could go into the late stages of the offseason. However, that is reportedly a negotiating tactic for what could be a much quicker decision.
“The LeBron side, from what I am told, would like the Lakers to come and say, ‘LeBron, here’s our plan for you. Or here’s what we’re offering,’” reported Brian Windhorst of ESPN. “And if they’re offering less than the max, here’s why: ‘Because we’re going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slot in.’
“I think everything that’s gonna happen between now and the draft, no matter what you hear and no matter what LeBron might say on his podcast or on social media or in any interview, I think all of it is negotiating. LeBron is negotiating unconventionally, which he is known to do. I don’t think that’s controversial. I don’t think a player saying they are waiting to hear from a team is an aggressive move.”
This is not too dissimilar from James’ strategy two summers ago, when he opted out of his contract and took a very minor pay cut to help the Lakers against the aprons. Rumors were that he would have been willing to take a larger pay cut that summer had the Lakers approached him with a plan to make the team a true contender.
This puts the onus entirely on the Lakers to see if they want to build a team around James or not. And if they do, they’ll have to decide at what number. From there, James can decide if he wants to play for that version of the Lakers at that price, or go elsewhere to end his career.
LeBron James not willing to take massive pay cut
Reports from Windhorst suggest that James won’t be take a major pay cut to play elsewhere next season. That, without a major restructuring, would exclude a homecoming to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But there are still teams that can offer James more than the minimum, even if they aren’t the Lakers. And the Cavaliers absolutely can make moves to be able to afford James at a higher number.
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