The GOAT of the NBA, according to us, LeBron JamesHolds many NBA records, including most points in a single game, most All-NBA First Team selections, most All-Star selections, consecutive double-digit scoring games, most 20-point (and 30-point) games in league history, most playoff wins in history, and more.
Then, this summer, he is likely to set another NBA record, the largest salary cut in league history.
advertise
This season, James is earning $52.63 million, which combined with his total guaranteed earnings of $583,949,426 makes him the highest-paid player in NBA history.
But if the rumors are true and James does leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer and joins the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third time in his career, then the salary cut James may need to accept will be huge. Because unless something shocking and unexpected happens, Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley Post-trade, the Cavaliers will be hampered by a tax apron that will allow them to provide James with only the minimum veteran presence.
This means James’ salary in the 2026-27 season will be $3.9 million, about $48.73 million less than his final season with the Lakers. It would be the largest such cut in league history.
As of now, the largest salary cut in NBA history belongs to Russell Westbrookhis earnings increased from $47.1 million in 2022-23 to $3.8 million in 2023-24.
advertise
Behind Westbrook is Blake GriffinHe will make $32.4 million in 2021-22 and take a significant pay cut in 2022-23, when he will make $2.9 million.
Klay Thompson Another NBA legend is taking a huge pay cut, with his income dropping from $32.4 million in the 2023-24 season to $15.9 million in the 2024-25 season. Before James’ possible salary cut, the top five people with the biggest salary cuts in NBA history were his former teammates, Kevin LoveHis salary will be significantly reduced from the 2022-23 season to the 2023-24 season, with his income in the corresponding season falling from $30.6 million to $3.8 million.
HoopsHype Salary
Of course, this entire discussion may be moot, as the Lakers, who are reportedly willing to bring James back, do own his Bird Rights and can offer him his max salary of $58.1 million through the 2026-27 season. However, that seems unlikely to happen, at least at this price.
advertise
If James’ next contract is worth about $9 million in the 2026-27 season, he will still break the record for the largest salary cut in NBA history. If his next contract is worth $20 million next season, it would still be the second-largest salary cut in NBA history.
So, go beyond the ordinary Will he? Wouldn’t he? As we discuss James’ possible retirement, we’re almost as curious as to what his next contract will look like, as NBA history is likely to be made in this regard.
This content may be blocked in parts of Europe for the following reasons General Data Protection Regulation. To use it, connect your VPN Go to a non-EU country and try again.
We highly recommend adding HoopsHype as your preferred source on Google. you just need Click here.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Can LeBron James take the biggest pay cut in NBA history?
