From the article:
The only mechanism the Lakers are projected to have in free agency is the taxpayer midlevel exception, worth $5.7 million, because James is expected to pick up the final year of his contract for $52.6 million, sources told ESPN.
On DFS:
A source familiar with the talks told ESPN that while Finney-Smith has interest in returning to L.A., he could look elsewhere for a multiyear deal if the only way to stay with the Lakers is to opt into his deal. But his departure would allow L.A. to open up the full midlevel exception of $14.1 million, which could be split up to pursue multiple free agents seeking a premium contract above the veteran minimum. And if the Lakers didn't use all of the midlevel exception, they could take on more salary in a trade and absorb the extra money into whatever they have left of the MLE.
39 comments
I probably would too
What hali-Kwame Brown
Lakers are really limited in terms of cap space. Would be interesting to see how they navigate although all signs point towards an Austin Reeves trade
Farewell tour incoming?
“Man doesn’t turn down $50 mil” wouldn’t be surprising but he old.
That’s a lot of money
Imagine making a million a week
After that he’ll sign for a 1 year vet min and wrap it up
Here comes the LeRetirement tour.
Damn. That’s Jaylen Brown money.
Should supplement his SSI payments
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And there goes the Lakers chances of competing for a chip. Feel bad for Luka, he got traded to this dog shit org as soon as he had a championship-level squad, now he’s stuck waiting for old man Bron to retire
The last dance
I never wanna hear again that this guy cares about winning
The las ride
This likely means Reaves is gone, right?
Was I silly for thinking he’d take less money so they could be contenders?
I think this will def be his last season, if it wasn’t he would’ve likely signed another 1+1
That being said, Bron better not talk about trying to win next year. If he did want to win, he would’ve signed a more team friendly deal
He’s gonna sign a one year deal then retire
That’s worth 2/3 of a Devin Booker extension!
Wow. Shocker. Dude who’s all about money over rings taking more money over rings
No more rings for LeBron
Crazy how disrespected lebron is, bro put up 24/8/8 and people are shitting on him lmao
Hopefully he retires after this.
My goat’s going to retire soon sadly.
Please also play in 26/27.
Now that expansion is on the way, Lebron will announce his retirement tour around Sept.
Pretty sad that Luka has to wait to compete for titles until the LeTirement Tour is over
Well, I guess that’s it then. He must’ve made peace with not trying to catch Jordan’s rings.
$52 million is $52 million, but when you’re already a billionaire with 0 chance of going broke, I would’ve thought that he would wanna take like $25 million to help fill that roster out.
Do it. Lakers suck anyways
Is this LeEnd?
Whoa, he likes money too?
I like money.
Lebron isn’t retiring after this season. Bryce will be in the 2026 draft. I think he’ll sign a medium size deal with whatever team drafts him.
Calling bron greedy is hilarious. Best player of a generation taking a pay cut in his last season for a tiny % chance to win a ring while selling out every single arena for the entire season?
Oh well, thats another year of prime Luka wasted.
stop fucking over luka’s prime
This is gonna be it for him, year 23
Worst contract in the league bar none
Hope Luka is ready to be blamed for another first round exist lmaooooo
Everyone here calling Lebron greedy would never in a million years willingly take a pay cut at their own jobs to help out “the team”.
Laker’s salary problems are the Laker management’s problems, not the talent.