LeBron James and the Lakers agreed Wednesday to a two-year deal that includes a no-trade clause and a player option for next season at or near the end of the season — a sign that his willingness to take a significant pay cut to help in the team’s effort to build a better roster expired.
According to people with knowledge of the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly, representatives for the Lakers and James are discussing the possibility of taking money from the two-year, $104 million maximum contract to keep the Lakers under the “second coat.” ” per Staff Payroll.
Exceeding that cap, which is $188.9 million, would severely limit the Lakers’ ability to add to their roster by placing restrictions on the types of trades the team makes, including adding players during the season.
Whether through James’ contract or another deal restructuring, someone familiar with the Lakers’ situation but not authorized to speak publicly said the team will end up under the second coat.
See more information: Plaschke: Give the kid a break! Bronny James is unfairly feeling the heat
The Lakers, who currently have a full 15-player roster, would need to reduce salary elsewhere in order to acquire players through signings and trades.
James told the Lakers he would be willing to take a significant pay cut if the team could use the full mid-level exception or a sign-and-trade to acquire a significant piece. The Lakers were involved in conversations with Klay Thompson on the first night of free agency and, despite offering him more years and money, he lost to the Dallas Mavericks.
James, the The NBA’s all-time leading scorersurprised some around the league with the initial concession, a departure from the widely held belief that he would try to maximize his value on each contract (one of the reasons the Lakers were always considered the heavy favorite to keep him).
But from Tuesday, when the team presented their two draft picksFirst-rounder Dalton Knecht and second-rounder Bronny James, some within the organization were left with the feeling that signing LeBron James for the max was now inevitable.
The team has yet to make any free agency acquisitions this summer, with D’Angelo Russell, Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood and Cam Reddish all using their player options to return to the Lakers. Max Christie re-signed for four years and $32 million to avoid the free agency restriction.
See more information: Hope for the future: Lakers introduce Dalton Knecht and Bronny James
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
