Report: LeBron James Could Take Pay Cut To Play With Bronny

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, LeBron James could take a pay cut to play with Bronny next season.

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bronny is eligible to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft and LeBron wants to play with him. 

“I know of at least two teams on the NBA map that believe LeBron James would consider signing with them at far less than $51.4 million if Bronny James is on the roster,” Stein wrote. “There might be more.”

LeBron’s player option next season is worth $51.4 million. The King joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018 after his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers ended. 

According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers “strongly prefer” LeBron retire with them. For that to happen, LAL may have to draft Bronny if the youngster declares for the 2024 draft. 

“Team sources say the Lakers would strongly prefer that James retire in their jersey someday, meaning he holds all the cards until his contract situation gets figured out,” Amick wrote. “The Lakers’ top decision-makers have no illusions about that much.”

LeBron is averaging 24.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season while shooting 51.9% from the field, 39.3% from beyond the arc and 73.7% from the free-throw line. He’s still one of the best basketball players in the world despite being the oldest player in the NBA.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron is averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists in a Lakers uniform. When reporters asked him if he knows what he’s going to do with his player option for next season, LeBron said, “No.”

The Lakers are 28-26 on the season. They are in ninth place in the West. If the season ended today, LeBron and Co. would be in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year.