After drafting Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James for two more years with the franchise. This prompted sports analyst Skip Bayless to call him out after not taking a pay cut to lure other stars to the City of Angels.
James’ new two-year, $104 million max contract with the Lakers has significant implications for the team’s roster flexibility. The deal includes a player option for 2025-26 and a no-trade clause, giving James full control over his future.
The contract pushes the team close to the NBA’s second apron, a threshold that brings with it several team-building restrictions. Teams above the second apron cannot acquire players via sign-and-trade, cannot take back more salary in a trade than they send out, and cannot access the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Los Angeles has several tradable contracts, including those of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt. However, they must ensure that any trades they make leave them below the second apron, limiting their options. Potential targets, like forwards Jerami Grant or Cam Johnson, would require careful maneuvering to fit under the cap.
Skip Bayless Blasts LeBron James Over New Los Angeles Lakers Deal
Before he signed his new contract, there were reports that James would take a pay cut to lure other stars to the Lakers. This detail prompted Bayless to call out the King for not doing so, as seen in a tweet he posted on X.
“LeBron, naturally, took the max from the Lakers he can make for his age next season – about $52 million. Yet Rich Paul hilariously said LeBron might take $1 mil less so the Lakers can avoid the 2nd apron. That would be the least LeBron could do. But watch, he won’t,” Bayless tweeted.
According to reports a few days before he signed his new deal, James may take a slight pay cut off his max contract to help Los Angeles avoid crossing the second apron, which would severely limit the team’s ability to make roster moves and add players. The Lakers are reportedly around $1.2 million over the second apron, and a small pay cut from James could enable them to stay below that limit and maintain more roster flexibility.
It remains to be seen how general manager Rob Pelinka will construct a championship-worthy roster around James in the coming months. In any case, it looks like an uphill battle for the Lakers, especially if they don’t get to add talented pieces around the King.
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