LeBron James and Lakers star might lose $261,000 despite making history at inaugural NBA In-season tournament

LeBron James won the MVP for NBA In-season tournament and was asked about the prize money.

LeBron James and Lakers star might lose $261,000 despite making history at inaugural NBA In-season tournament

LeBron James (Credits: CBS Sports)

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 on Saturday in Las Vegas to wrap up the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament. Although LeBron James averaged 26.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game and won the MVP award for the tournament, the star point guard who played against him in the championship game may be the player who people remember these few weeks the most.

Multimillionaires like LeBron James and Anthony Davis might not find much significance in the $500,000 prize money that each Los Angeles Laker player receives for winning the NBA In-Season Tournament. However, it’s a game-changer for younger players. Players like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, and Cam Reddish earn less money. However, once in the City of Angels, more than half of it might be lost.

Even Lebron James talked about the prize money:

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 The first question they asked me when I came off, they was like, ‘So, when do we get our money?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know.

The Lakers’ stars would lose most of the money because of California’s tax laws. Each player would have to pay more than 50% of their half-million dollar daily earnings in federal and state income taxes. Taking into account additional fees, the total prize money amounts to just over $230,000.

Even with the high tax rate, the prize money is still substantial, particularly for the league’s new players. The second-year players and rookies would make more money on this one night than they would throughout the following two seasons.

LeBron James leads the LA Lakers to a historic victory over the Indiana Pacers

After the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious, LeBron James added to the NBA’s history and declared that nobody can top that. He was named the inaugural MVP of the tournament. The Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in Las Vegas to become the first team to win the trophy.

LeBron James
LeBron James (Credits: NBA.com)

Although LeBron contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds. Teammate Anthony Davis outperformed James in the championship game with season-highs of 41 points and 20 rebounds. LeBron James said, “

This is the in-season tournament. Records will be broken. But one thing that will never be broken is to be the first to do something. We're the first champions of the in-season tournament, and nobody can ever top that.

James portrayed Davis as the “face of the franchise” during the preseason. Despite his extraordinary endurance, Davis ran with that title on Saturday as the Pacers could not handle his incredible performance. Now in its fifth season together, James and Davis, in James’ opinion, inspire each other to achieve greater things.

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