Lakers

LeBron James Open To Taking Less Money; Opts Out Of His Option

Published

8 months ago

June 29, 2024

Joshua

LeBron James Open To Taking Less Money; Opts Out Of His Option

Was anybody shocked to hear LeBron James was opting out of his $51.4 million player option? Not really, given what everyone has been hearing for the past few weeks. However, what is shocking to many is his willingness to take less money for the organization.

With Bronny James being drafted by Los Angeles, this further reinsures the Lakers’ fanbase that LeBron is coming back. According to multiple reports, he is expected to ink a deal to continue his partnership with Rob Pelinka and the team.

For reference on what a potential contract could look like for the 39-year-old, James could get a three-year deal worth up to $160 million. Now, per Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, LeBron is very much open to taking less money to achieve more incredible things for Los Angeles.

Depending on what the Lakers do with D’Angelo Russell after seeing him opt into his player option, LeBron would need to take precisely $12 million less than the max on his new extension. This would allow the Lakers to use the full MLE (Midlevel Exception).

By allowing this, the front office can use the MLE to sign multiple players to fill out their positional needs. Pelinka is under the microscope for what he will do this year’s offseason.

Lakers

Luka Doncic Spent His All-Star Break Away From Basketball

Published

2 days ago

February 21, 2025

Joshua

Luka Doncic Spent His All-Star Break Away From Basketball

How did Luka Doncic spend his All-Star break? According to the man himself, he got away from basketball and focused his mind on anything that wasn’t NBA-related.

While he was “excited to get back to playing,” the superstar player wanted time away after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Honestly, I was getting my mind off basketball a little bit,” Doncic said Wednesday. “But, I’m just excited to come back and play. I missed a lot of time. I’ve never missed this much time. So, it’s something new to me. But I was just excited to get back to playing.”

This is the second time in his career he wasn’t made an All-Star. The first being his rookie season and the second being the current season.

Since joining LeBron James and Los Angeles, the 25-year-old is averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.

Doncic missed Thursday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets due to the calf injury, but is expected to play in Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

Lakers

Luka Doncic Is “Probable” For Monday Lakers Debut

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

Joshua

Luka Doncic Is "Probable" For Monday Lakers Debut

According to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic is most likely playing in Monday night’s game against the Utah Jazz. This would be his debut game.

Officially on the injury report, he is listed as “probable.” ESPN has already put the game on their televised schedule, and Los Angeles is giving every fan in attendance a Doncic jersey.

With all these updates before the game, he will play. Unless something significant comes up as a setback, fans tonight will see the debut of the 25-year-old franchise leader.

LeBron James has also been listed as “probable” against Utah. James is expected to be a part of Doncic’s highly anticipated debut.

Lakers

Lakers Veto Mark Williams Trade Due To Failed Physical

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2025

Joshua

Lakers Veto Mark Williams Trade Due To Failed Physical

According to the Los Angeles Lakers, they have rescinded their trade with the Charlotte Hornets featuring Mark Williams and Dalton Knecht.

Reports revealed that Charlotte’s side was a “failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.” Williams did fail his physical, but it wasn’t for his back. Even though it wasn’t his back, Los Angeles did find multiple issues.

Knecht will return to the Lakers, and Williams will return to the Hornets. The official trade was Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-rounder, and a pick swap for Charlotte’s Williams.

With the rookie returning to his original team, the Lakers will need to clear a spot for him to be able to rejoin.

Los Angeles will now need to find a new center but cannot access the full buyout market due to being a first apron team; players who were previously making more than the midlevel exception can’t sign with the Lakers.

The available free agents are JaVale McGee, Mo Bamba, Daniel Theis, Chimezie Metu, and Damian Jones. It is unclear whether the Lakers and Dwight Howard would want a reunion.