LeBron James Willing To Take Pay Cut After Leaving Lakers

LeBron James is reportedly willing to take a pay cut with his new team. It looks like he wants to set up his next team to build a winner.

by Tzvi Machlin

Jul 1, 2026

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

LeBron James is entirely aware that the window for him to win one more NBA title before retiring is nearly shut. So it appears that he's willing to take a little less money from his next team to ensure it happens.

According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania via Legion Hoops, LeBron is "open to all pitches" from teams looking to add him to a championship contender. Charania noted that he'll listen to offers on a minimum deal, exception deal or non-max deal.

“If you want to slot him in, you can pitch him on a minimum deal, an exception deal, or a non-max deal,” Charania said.

Kingmaker James

If LeBron really is willing to take a substantial pay cut with his next NBA team, that opens up the options considerably. While a team like the New York Knicks still can't afford his services, a lot of others can.

The rumors have all linked LeBron with a move to the Golden State Warriors to try and make a new super-team. But fans have some of their own ideas of where he can go now.

"LeBron to the Spurs make the most sense. We have multiple players that can score 20 on any giving night and we multiple defenders to take the load off Bron," one user remarked on X.

May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks towards his bench after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

"This along with his tweet thanking LA shows me he seen over the years all those lakers fans trash him. He gotta point too make. Washington is the perfect destination for a point to be made we gotta make one too," another mused.

"If I’m bron and I heard Luka don’t want me in his future plans I’m going to Dallas partner back up w Kyrie w the pieces they got my lord that’s up there w/ OKC n Spurs. IMO win a chip there rubs it all in Luka face," a third joked.

"If OKC is interested in the Big LBJ then I guarantee you they will get him."

Of course, we don't know for sure that LeBron will truly hear any pitches from teams at a lower rate. Once the team is announced and the contract details are revealed, then we'll know for sure whether LeBron really wants to build a super-team with himself in a supporting role or if he's determined to keep being the top option at age 41-42.