LeBron James ‘is willing to take a $20MILLION pay cut to help the Lakers improve’ – after they drafted his son Bronny, 19, to the team

According to a new report, LeBron James has indicated that he is willing to take an annual salary cut of as much as $20 million to help the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron has been with the team since 2018 – winning a championship in the Covid-affected 2020 season – and they selected his 19-year-old son Bronny with No. 55 overall in this week’s 2024 NBA Draft.

Just hours later, LeBron decided to forgo his $51.4 million player option — and it’s now been reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that he is willing to take a huge pay cut if it allows the team to strengthen their roster.

When asked what James’ decision to opt out meant, Woj explained: “It means, No. 1, that LeBron James plans to return to the Lakers, but the question is, what kind of contract does him in the future?

“What LeBron James has basically told the Lakers is: If the Lakers have the opportunity to acquire some of the impact players available in free agency, with the exception of the mid-range, then LeBron James is willing to pay less accept money for this deal.

Earlier this week, LeBron was officially joined in Los Angeles by his son Bronny, 19

“It would be significantly less money, maybe more than $20 million, so the Lakers could have their full mid-level exception. That’s why the Lakers are preparing to pursue Klay Thompson and Jonas Valanciunas — the center from New Orleans who is another player in this free agency class who is a veteran and successful player.”

Wojnarowski then explained that options are expected to be limited in free agency and that the Lakers will therefore likely act early, possibly as early as night one.

He then explained on ESPN’s NBA Today show, “If the Lakers can’t land one of those players using that $13 million mid-level exception, then LeBron James will end up maxing out at his full cap.” , which is the case with a three-year deal. is $160 million plus.”

The four-time NBA champion, now 39, has further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest in history since moving to LA in 2018.

After winning four rings and setting the NBA points record with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Lakers, Bronny’s arrival will likely give him new impetus and motivation next season.

Bronny’s selection comes after weeks of speculation about when he would be picked in the NBA Draft — with the range ranging from the first round to not being drafted at all.

LeBron (pictured in 2007 with Bronny) has often spoken about his desire to play with his son

It’s a family affair in LA and now Savannah (left) can babysit her husband AND son

But now the former USC Trojans guard is staying with a basketball team in Los Angeles.

Bronny’s lone season in college basketball ended in disappointment after he suffered a cardiac arrest during practice in July 2023.

He was cleared to return to the field, but averaged just 19.4 minutes over 25 games for the Trojans while scoring just 4.8 points per outing.

Leading up to this year’s draft, there was a lot of discussion about whether LeBron’s son was ready to enter the NBA.

But the Lakers had enough and drafted the teenager anyway, despite his limited experience and college statistics.