LeBron James expressed his desire to give back to the Lakers by accepting nearly $3 million less in his deal, helping the team avoid the salary cap’s second apron. This strategic move allows the Lakers more flexibility to improve their roster.
Commitment to the Lakers
James likened his decision to taking a pay cut to maintaining a long-term relationship, drawing parallels to his marriage.
“When you’re in a relationship, you sometimes have to make sacrifices. I’ve been with my wife since high school, and there are things you do to make it work. It’s the same with the Lakers,” James said. “I’ve been with the Lakers for seven years. I’m absolutely OK with taking a pay cut to protect the franchise.”
Benefits of Staying Under the Second Apron
By staying under the second apron, the Lakers can be more flexible in improving their roster. This includes the ability to trade multiple players for one, although they still cannot take back more money than they send out in a deal.
Praise for Team USA
James also praised his experience with Team USA on the second day of training camp.
“For us to be on the same team, it’s surreal,” James said. “When I see clips of us walking into the building, it feels crazy.”
The Team USA roster features Olympic veterans such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis, alongside younger stars like Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton.
Setting a Standard for Excellence
James emphasized the importance of setting a standard for the younger players.
“We don’t step on their toes, but we hope to set a standard of excellence for them. They’re already excellent, and we want them to carry on and be great as long as they want to be,” James said. “We hope to set the standards for them.”
Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Cut | Nearly $3 million less to avoid second salary cap apron |
| Commitment | Likened to maintaining a long-term relationship |
| Roster Flexibility | Ability to trade multiple players, cannot take back more money |
| Team USA | Praised experience, surreal to be on same team |
| Standard of Excellence | Hopes to set a standard for younger players |
LeBron James’ commitment to the Lakers and his efforts with Team USA demonstrate his dedication to the sport and his teams, setting a high bar for both current and future players.(188jili)