If James takes a discount for the Lakers to access their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception, the Lakers will be hard-capped at the first apron of $178.7 million. That means James would have to take a $16-plus million discount, with his starting salary at about just over $33 million for the 2024-25 season. The most likely pay cut scenario would be James signing a two-year deal with a player option for 2025-26, allowing him to opt out in 2025 and re-sign for more money, according to league sources. -via New York Times / June 29, 2024

Source: New York Times June 30, 2024 10:52 UTC