Report: Lakers Star’s ‘Likely’ $53M Decision Revealed

NBA teams will have plenty to look forward to as the offseason salary cap increases by 10% this summer. Playoff squads will look to fortify their contention status no matter this year’s outcome, and that includes the purple and gold. The Lakers may have little room to spare with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the books. That is, unless one of them is willing to put his money where his mouth is.

Report: Lakers Star’s ‘Likely’ $53M Decision Revealed

Siegel on James’ Player Option Verdict

While explaining how the increase in cap space would affect teams’ summers, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel addressed how there may be little to no movement of star players, beginning with James and the Lakers.

“LeBron will likely opt out of his $50.6 million player option, but he is not expected to leave Los Angeles, league sources told ClutchPoints. This has been James’ strategy through the years, signing those unique “1+1” contracts which give him and the Lakers flexibility to adjust their cap numbers accordingly.

Last offseason, James made it clear to Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office that he would be willing to take a slight pay cut if it meant them targeting impactful talents who could increase the team’s championship odds. He will very likely do the same this summer, allowing Los Angeles to add more talent around him and Luka Doncic. Bringing back Jaxson Hayes has also become a priority for the Lakers, along with evaluating an underwhelming pool of frontcourt talent.”

When LeBron made that same decision last offseason, his agent, Rich Paul, said that James was “adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.” Now, no one could have foreseen that “roster improvement” meant trading for a global superstar, but that was improvement nonetheless.

Fast forward to this season—post-trade deadline—and it’s clear the Lakers have their hands (and pocketbooks) full. James is currently in the middle of a two-year, $104 million deal that includes the $53M player option for next season. Doncic, meanwhile, is making $43 million this season and nearly $46 million the next (not to mention his $48.9 million player option ahead of 2026-27).

No Brainer for LeBron and the Lakers

James’s talk of a pay cut is clearly nothing new. That decision—if it holds—would not have better timing than this summer, when the Lakers prepare for a full year of “LeBroncic” under their belts. Aside from retaining LeBron, Rob Pelinka and co. will also need to ensure that the supporting cast is upgraded, coaxing Dorian Finney-Smith to pick up his player option, giving Jaxson Hayes a well-deserved payday (as Siegel mentioned earlier), or bringing new faces into an exciting era of Lakers basketball.

Of LA’s 15 guaranteed contracts, only three players—Hayes, Markieff Morris and Alex Len—are on expiring deals. The rest are set to become free agents after next season, giving the front office some security and flexibility, especially if trade opportunities come up.

The Lakers extended both their title window and James’s career when they acquired Luka. Now, LeBron could return the favor (while maintaining high expectations) by re-signing on a team-friendly contract that allows the Lakers to continually compete for championships.