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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers could enter free agency this offseason.
One of the biggest uncertainties heading into the offseason is the future of LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is in the final year of his contract and could become a free agent at the age of 41. He could also decide to retire, though he hasn’t come to that conclusion as of the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Speaking to the media before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, James remained undecided if this season would be his final one.
“Yeah, I mean, I want to live,” James said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all.”
The four-time NBA MVP fell in love with golf last summer, picking it up as a new hobby. He also dealt with sciatica in the offseason, which caused him to miss the first 14 games of the season.
LeBron Could Make History Again Next Season
With LeBron James’ contract with the Lakers set to expire, it’s widely expected that he’ll become a free agent after the season. One of the teams linked to James is his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that people within the league are speculating that James is returning to the Cavaliers for a third stint and having a retirement tour “for the ages.” It will be his 24th season in the league, which breaks his own record for most seasons played.
However, that would not be the only record he’ll be setting if he signs with the Cavs. Frank Urbina of HoopsHype opined that James could be in line to take the biggest pay cut in NBA history.
“Barring a shocking, unexpected Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley trade, the Cavs will be hampered by the tax apron, which would leave them with just the veteran minimum to offer James,” Uribina wrote.
James is earning $52.63 million this season and would have to take a $48.73 million pay cut to sign a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Cavs. The franchise could always make moves to create cap space, but that would affect their depth.
They have a roster capable of contending for a title, and adding “The King” would increase their chances of winning their second NBA championship.
Who Took the Biggest Pay Cut in NBA History?
If LeBron James takes the $48.73 million pay cut, he’ll break the record currently held by Russell Westbrook of the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook went from earning $47.1 million during the 2022-23 season to making just $3.8 million the following campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, as per Frank Urbina of HoopsHype.
Blake Griffin took a $29.5 million pay cut for the 2022-23 season when he signed with the Boston Celtics. Other former All-Stars who took big pay cuts over the past few years were Klay Thompson and Kevin Love.
Thompson went from earning $32.4 million in his final season with the Golden State Warriors to just $15.9 million in his first year with the Dallas Mavericks. Love earned $30.6 million in his final season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and earned just $3.8 million per season after signing with the Miami Heat.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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