Is LeBron James Taking Rumored $20 Million Pay Cut to Recruit Klay Thompson? Reports Explain Lakers Star’s Shocking Free Agency Move

With each passing day, it is becoming more and more evident that Klay Thompson will not continue with GSW. After having already rejected two agreements, the player is now preparing to make himself available via free agency. Amongst a field of prospective teams, the Lakers suddenly became a top contender after rumors that LeBron James was prepared to take a $20 million pay cut on his next contract to get Klay under the ‘Non-Taxpayer MPE’. With time being of the essence, an update rolled in on this acquisition.

Adrian Wojnarowski touched base on the recent Klay Thompson-Lakers saga. According to him, the player and his agent, Greg Lawrence, are approaching several teams with special emphasis being given to the Mavs and the Lakers. Along with taking a huge cut on his pay, Bron is also reportedly going the extra mile to team up with the shooting guard. “They’ve had conversations tonight. I’m told LeBron James called Klay Thompson right when free agency opened at 6 p.m. (Eastern),” Wojnarowski said on NBA on ESPN.

“Reached out, talked to Klay Thompson. The expectation I have right now is that these conversations, this negotiation, will go into tomorrow. There probably will not be a resolution tonight.” LeBron James’ future with the Lakers was initially enclosed in a cloud of doubt, despite his $51.4 million player option. However, with his son Bronny having joined the franchise, he surely won’t be thinking of an exit. Furthermore, that commitment was further put under a strong foundation thanks to Bron’s rumored sacrifice, which was also confirmed by Rich Paul.

“He is prioritizing a roster improvement,” said Paul in a statement to ESPN. “He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.” By signing a contract below the 3-year, $162 million threshold, a full $129 million mid-level exception could be opened up to acquire an “impact player.” However, LeBron himself has specifications about who this impact player should be.

According to Dave McMenamin, the All-Time NBA scorer only reduced his paycheck for “an established veteran playmaker such as James Harden or Klay Thompson, or an established big man to play alongside Anthony Davis such as Jonas Valančiūnas”.

And, Klay is expected to leave the Warriors after failing to secure the three-year extension that he was seeking. With his salary for the 2023-24 season having amounted to $43.2 million, the player may not end up coming at a lesser contract. LeBron’s salary cut would go a long way in bringing in the Warriors star under a ‘Non-Tax Payer MLE’ deal. However, this idea might require the Lakers to consider a salary dump of players like Cam Redish, Christian Word, and Jackson Hayes, who collectively cost the side over $7 million.

Chris Haynes believes the Mavericks, and not LeBron James and Co., are frontrunners to acquire Klay Thompson

Not everyone is convinced that the Splash Brother will head to LA. The same was seen during a recent panel discussion on NBA TV when Chris Haynes sent out his vote to the Dallas Mavericks. “If there is a frontrunner, I’m gonna say it’s the Dallas Mavericks,” said the reporter.

“He (Thompson) is very intrigued by that situation where he can be a guy that can fit in with what they do well as far Kyrie, Luka penetrate and drawing the defense, getting guys open shots. Also, the Dallas Mavericks’ offensive schemes need a little bit of tinkering.” Haynes believes that while their offense was able to get them to the NBA Finals, they were still quite “stagnant.”

Having observed how Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving hog the ball for the majority of the game period, they could change things around by having another offensive powerhouse alongside them. Haynes’ opinion comes just a few days after Marc Stein reported that there is a “strong mutual interest” between the Mavericks and Klay Thompson for a partnership. With two top franchises vying for a chance to include the shooting guard in their roster, the final decision may come down to who is willing to offer a better deal to him.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.