After giving the Los Angeles Lakers some financial flexibility last offseason by agreeing to a two-year, $104 million deal, LeBron James is no longer expected to extend the same courtesy.
And with the Lakers now desperate to reshape their roster following another disappointing playoff exit, the decision is raising eyebrows.
According to a recent report from Sam Quinn of CBS Sports, James is expected to opt into the final year of his deal, which will pay him $52.6 million.
While no one faults a 39-year-old superstar for claiming what he’s earned, some critics believe James could ease the team’s path to contention by leaving money on the table.
“While it is not clear why, at this juncture, James has placed less of a priority on improving the Lakers roster, the end result is a more difficult path to improvement for the Lakers this offseason,” Quinn wrote.
A tighter salary cap could limit the Lakers’ offseason options
The Lakers are facing a complex financial puzzle under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, particularly with new restrictions tied to the first and second salary cap aprons. If James sticks to the full $52.6 million, the Lakers may be forced above the first apron. That, in turn, would significantly restrict their options in free agency.
Quinn pointed out that the difference between staying below or exceeding that line is stark. If the Lakers manage to stay below the first apron, they could use the full mid-level exception, worth $14.1 million, and also retain access to the bi-annual exception, valued at $5.1 million. They would also have more freedom to sign players via sign-and-trade deals.
But if they exceed the apron, that flexibility vanishes. Instead, they would be limited to the smaller $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception and lose access to key exceptions entirely.
“By far the simplest [way to stay below the apron], though, would be a sacrifice on James‘ part,” Quinn wrote.
The scrutiny surrounding James’ contract decision is compounded by the high-stakes move the Lakers made this offseason: acquiring Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade.
Pairing the Slovenian phenom with James was supposed to vault the team into championship contention, but to build a team around them with sufficient depth and shooting, the Lakers need financial breathing room.
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