LeBron James (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Social media is going in on LeBron James following the news of his new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James entered free agency a few days ago in a bid to help the team sign another top player, suggesting he was willing to take a pay cut.
However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday morning that the veteran has agreed to a two-year $104 million deal inclusive of a no-trade clause and a player option. James and the Lakers are still discussing the possibility of going $1 million below the maximum to allow the team more flexibility in building the roster.
So LeBron James returns on a 1-plus-1 deal for his 22nd season and takes his future year-to-year now in the NBA. https://t.co/o1YPztpbMT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2024
Fans are now accusing James of knowing how this would play out all along. Check out some of their reactions below:
Perfectly played by LeBron, honestly. Says he'll take a paycut – but for only the guys he wants – great PR move, that. They don't get anyone, because who wants to join a team where you're always trade bait & always to blame.
And some think he's not running the show there. Crazy.
— Adam (@AdamJoseph____) July 3, 2024
“Lebron is gonna accept a lot less money in order to bring in some stars”
Instead he takes over $50 mil a year and makes the team draft his son 😂
— Bradley Jacobs 🪜 (@BradleyLJacobs) July 3, 2024
So, no LePayCut, huh? No one wants to be part of realiry show, Keeping up with the Jameses 😂
— JBond 🍌 (@jbondwagon) July 3, 2024
nice pay cut 🙂↕️
— 𝙎𝙠𝙮𝙚𝙙⚡️🇦🇺 (@SkyedOKC) July 3, 2024
Pulled off a phenomenal PR stunt with the whole pay cut for specific players to show how bad the Lakers front office really is
— NoahMuse (@JoakimMuse) July 3, 2024
LeBron James Hasn’t Surprised Anyone
Of course, it’s no surprise that LeBron James chose to return to L.A., given that the team just drafted his first son, Bronny James, as a second-round pick last month.
James had made no secret about wanting to play with his son, although his agent, Rich Paul, insisted that that was no longer the case heading into the draft and that Bronny’s destination would have no bearing on where the player chose to sign.
He will have a hard time getting anyone to believe that, however.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are working on signing Bronny to his rookie contract after taking him at 55 overall. The 19-year-old is now set to become part of the NBA’s first father-and-son pairing, which will make the 2024 season a historic one for the league, LBJ, and his son.
The four-time NBA champion will turn 40 in December and is heading into his 22nd season. He is considered by many to be the greatest of all time.
James iss the league’s all-time top scorer and the first to pass 40,000 points while also fourth in all-time assists, eighth in steals, eighth in made threes, and third in made free throws.
