LeBron James Expected to Sacrifice $50M Salary to Keep Playing

LeBron James' $53 million player option for this season has already faced a lot of criticism from fans, the media, and former rivals alike

LeBron James Expected to Sacrifice $50M Salary to Keep Playing

LeBron James has to take a paycut to stay with Lakers (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • LeBron James may sacrifice a $50 million salary to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • His decision to take a pay cut could help the team sign younger players like Austin Reaves.
  • James' relationship with teammates has improved, contributing to the Lakers' resurgence as championship contenders.

With every passing game, LeBron James is proving his worth for the Los Angeles Lakers again. Now the franchise has re-established itself as a potential championship contender.

This is a far cry from the time when the 41-year-old was the one receiving all the blame for the franchise’s lack of chemistry among its players and how they performed in games.

Even Governor Jeanie Buss‘ apparent disappointment towards James’ attitude at the franchise and that of his entourage suggested the father of three could be out after this season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers officially opened their doors to a reunion, and even New York Knicks superfan Timothee Chalamet openly courted the four-time champion to finish his career in Madison Square Garden.

The sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50M anywhere is probably gone. If he is willing to play for less, if that fits with what they are trying to do, I think the door is open.

Ramona Shelburne said on NBA Today

ESPN’s senior writer reiterated that for LeBron James to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, he has to forget about earning another $50 million contract.

Those days are over, and with Austin Reaves‘ impending extension, the chances of the oldest player in the league wanting another big payday are officially over.

For a long time, James was criticized for not taking a pay cut, especially when it felt as if his taking one would help the Lakers sign other players. But now, there is a distinct possibility of that happening.

Austin Reaves trolls LeBron James for their meme clip

How much of a pay cut LeBron James takes depends largely on how much the Lakers are going to pay his understudy, Austin Reaves, next offseason.

Austin Reaves and LeBron James during the former's formative years
Austin Reaves and LeBron James during the former’s formative years (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

The veteran superstar may have nurtured the 27-year-old from an undrafted guard into one of the league’s best scorers, but the mentor will eventually have to bow out to his mentee.

In fact, James not ceding ground to Reaves was touted as one of the reasons for the Lakers’ mediocre mid-season form. However, the chemistry between them is still on point to this day.

Let’s just start with, why is Bron even in the game right now? It’s over.

Austin Reaves said

This was the Arkansas native essentially trolling his teammate on the Mind the Game podcast over the viral meme where James was seen coaching Reaves, and the latter ended up having a stunned expression on his face.

For a long time, many have marvelled at how the four-time league MVP has imparted his wisdom to Austin Reaves, where now, he is one of the Lakers’ primary playmakers.

That clip was in his early days, which meant that when Reaves came into the game, it was usually when the team had a comfortable lead. That is why he wondered why James was in a game where he did not need to be.

LeBron James has custom handshake with Lakers photographer

LeBron James has worked hard over the years on building good chemistry with his fellow teammates. Some, such as Russell Westbrook, may not have a good relationship with him, but others who have departed still maintain it.

Of late, the superstar has been entertaining fans, both home and away, with his new pregame routine, which involves him throwing the ball high up in the air, and everyone bends their knees along with him as he catches the ball.

But long before that, the 22-time All-Star created a tradition of having custom individual handshakes with every team member he has played with.

A clip was doing the rounds before their game against the Detroit Pistons, where the 6’9″ forward was warming up in the tunnel. When he noticed the Lakers’ longtime team photographer, Abigail Keenan Field, he went up and gestured as if he was going to punch her in her stomach.

Then, as LeBron James walks away, he turns and exchanges a custom handshake he created for Field. After the handshake, the superstar goes into the team huddle, while the photographer continues with her job of capturing every moment.

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