LeBron James unlikely to take pay cut

According to The Athletic, LeBron James is unlikely to accept a reduced salary if he chooses to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.

Unlike last summer, when James agreed to a pay cut of about $2.7 million to help the team avoid crossing the second luxury tax apron and preserve roster flexibility, league sources now suggest that such a financial concession is not currently on the table.

The shift in approach signals that James, entering the twilight of his career and still playing at an elite level, is expected to prioritize maximizing his earnings over creating cap space for roster construction.

While his commitment to winning remains clear, sources indicate that the Lakers will need to navigate the financial implications without counting on James to sacrifice his salary again.