Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James could play for less than a maximum contract next season for the first time in over a decade.
It's surprising to hear considering James has taken a pay cut just once in his career in 2010 to play alongside stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. Now, it's reported by ESPN's Dave McMenamin that the veteran forward could do so again if an established player is signed.
"The type of player that James would be willing to make a financial sacrifice for would be an established veteran playmaker like James Harden or Klay Thompson, or an established big man to play alongside Anthony Davis -- like Jonas Valanciunas, sources told ESPN," McMenamin wrote. "If the Lakers are unable to entice a player of that ilk to come to L.A. for the MLE, James will seek the max, Paul told ESPN."
Harden, Thompson, and Valanciunas are realistic options, as they are all unrestricted free agents. Considering the Lakers' lack of cap space, a sign-and-trade is the most likely outcome to acquire one of the three previously listed. Harden is the only one of the bunch with potentially enough left in the tank to vault LA among championship contenders. Meanwhile, Thompson and Valanciunas simply improve their roster in certain areas but lack the value to prompt a deep postseason run.
