Rachel Nichols called on LeBron James to make a big call on his LA Lakers contract.
La Lakers crashed from the first round after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where young security guard Anthony Edwards also gave LeBron James a sincere tribute.
The defeat brought much criticism to James. James broke how the team’s dynamics changed after Luka Donsic’s trade.
Next season will be his 23rd year in James’ league, but there is no doubt about his production ability. So the Lakers will once again take part in the run to win the championship.
Rob Perinka confirmed that the team is willing to help LeBron James win the fifth ring, but veteran presenter Rachel Nichols said the four-time MVP might have to help.
James has a $52 million player option next season and must make a decision by June 29th.
Don Sic is also part of the Lakers, so the team may find it difficult to promote two biggest contracts and add another star to strengthen the roster.
This allowed Nichols to share her opinion that James made potential pay cuts to help the Lakers build a team around Luka Donsic and him.
She said:
“But Tom Brady cut his pay to stack his team, which was rewarded in the ring. It’s worth considering now that Luka will change maths with a chance for a future title in LA.”
Doncic has two years left on his current contract and is expected to make more than $45 million next year.
This brings the Lakers salary cap to just under $100 million for two players.
While discussing James’ future in LA, Nichols added:
“If he minimizes the league and allows a third of a very good giant superstar to come in, he could not only win another ring, but he could certainly get two if there was a lot of talk about him sticking and wanting to play with his son Blythe, who is still a year in Arizona.”
Pelinka has already stated the Lakers’ offseason plan to add something big to the roster.
However, they have some extensions to take care of in the summer. This is why it makes it happen to do moves for big tough things.
Purple and gold can make a big move if James opts out of his current contract and ends up reducing his salary by signing a new deal.
It not only gives that Seal Don Chic extension, but also gives the Lakers room to see the situation with players like Louis Hachimura and Austin Reeves.
The team will definitely need centers, but reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to move to a major market allow the Lakers to cash out for him, but they still can’t write a book on James’s large deal.
He didn’t receive pay cuts when he signed his current contract last year, but as he looked at the roster and evaluated what the Lakers needed to succeed, James was able to sign a new deal that would take less money to help build the championship roster.