Veteran NBA Star and Journalist Question LeBron James’ 3rd-String and Pay Cut Narratives

LeBron James‘ 2025-26 campaign has come to an end. In his 23rd season in the NBA, James continued to show the NBA world why he continues to be one of the best players in the world on his day and has defied Father Time like nobody else.

The four-time champion’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers is up in the air as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason this year. There have been a lot of rumors and reports swirling daily about his future.

Former NBA star Eddie A. Johnson called out the Lakers for treating James as the third option this season.

The mistake the Lakers made was trying to say [LeBron] was number three behind Austin Reaves. I bit my tongue all year with that and said ‘let me let it go and see how it plays out’. Number two is one thing. He can look at Luka and see that Luka is gonna be unbelievable. But to be out all year and tout he is number three behind Austin Reaves. That was the joke.

Eddie A. Johnson on SiriusXM NBA Radio

“The mistake the Lakers made was trying to say [LeBron] was number three behind Austin Reaves”

EJ on the notion that LeBron was considered the Lakers’ third option behind Dončić and Reaves.

NBA Today | Weekdays 4–7p EThttps://t.co/U91Jb62Hxo@TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 pic.twitter.com/Y2DOOlSpeZ

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 13, 2026

Despite the rise of Austin Reaves this season, Eddie A. Johnson was surprised to see that the Lakers saw LeBron James as a third option this season. At 41, James still posted decent numbers as he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 60 appearances in the regular season.

While James may have hoped for a deeper postseason run, he should be proud of what he was able to achieve this year. In the first round, he had to lead his team from the front without the services of Luka Doncic and Reaves against the Houston Rockets. The 41-year-old pulled off some incredible performances and eliminated the Rockets in six games.

However, he was not able to do the same against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals. Without Doncic, the Lakers were swept in four games by the defending champions, who proved too much for James and Reaves to handle.

Nick Wright questions critics on asking LeBron James to take a pay cut

There have been several reports that LeBron James may make his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and finish his career in the place where it all began. The likes of the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks have been added to the list of teams that may be interested in James as well. However, there are chances that he may stay with the Lakers as he continues to weigh his options.

NBA analyst Nick Wright believes that James should not take a pay cut to stay with the Lakers.

I am offended on LeBron’s behalf that he’s the only guy we ask to take these pay cuts. Did you see Steph Curry in the playoffs because I didn’t. If LeBron takes anything less than a one-year max, it is charity. He is still one of the dozen most impactful players in a series.

Nick Wright on The Herd with Colin Cowherd

"I am offended on LeBron's behalf that he's the only guy we ask to take these pay cuts. Did you see Steph Curry in the playoffs because I didn't!"@colincowherd and @getnickwright discuss LeBron's future pic.twitter.com/h9cBc8jcwg

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 12, 2026

In the four games against the Thunder, James averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds, and 5.8 assists. For context, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 24.5 points in the series.

It shows that James can still play at a very high level in the playoffs despite his age. Hence, Wright believes that there is no reason for him to take a pay cut when he can still perform very well when it matters.

Rob Pelinka would love to have LeBron James back

After LeBron James’ performances in the playoffs this year, there is no reason to believe that he still has a year or two left in him. While his options of moving to the Cavaliers, Knicks, or the Warriors may sound appealing, he may still opt to continue with the Lakers, especially considering that his son, Bronny James, is still with them.

Lakers President and General Manager, Rob Pelinka spoke to the media after getting knockout out in the second round.

We probably haven’t seen a player who has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game. He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization. The thing we want to do more than anything else is to honor him back. Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster. That’s a blessing in itself in terms of what he does.

Rob Pelinka in his press conference

Rob Pelinka on LeBron:

"We probably haven't seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he's honored the game. He's given so much to his teammates, to this organization. The thing we want to do more than anything else is to honor him back" pic.twitter.com/Ggck7eq4gC

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 12, 2026

Pelinka will need to be a lot more active in the offseason this year as he looks to build a roster around Doncic capable of contending for a championship. The series against the Thunder showed that they are still far behind the defending champions.

Also Read:

• LeBron James’ Future in Los Angeles Tied to Lakers’ Championship Readiness
• Dillon Brooks Pulling Up to Game 4 to Troll LeBron James Leaves Fans in Splits – “He Even Laughs Like a Villain”