LeBron Wants Max Salary, Lakers Can Afford It
By Mike Garcia
Want to enter the LeBron sweepstakes? You have to pay. LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade made financial sacrifices for their title runs. It was worth it. It’s tough to get into the Finals four consecutive times. The Miami triumvirate won two of the four times.
LeBron seemed unsatisfied. Perhaps he’s done sacrificing.
"Teams that contact James will be informed that he wants no less than the maximum salary number for next season, sources said. The max number is projected to be $22.2 million. In 2010, James accepted a pay cut when he signed with the Miami Heat, taking less than the maximum salary to help make space for other free agents.As of now, James is not scheduling any pitch meetings with teams; he will let agent Rich Paul handle the opening stages of talks. In 2010, James scheduled six meetings with teams at his offices in Cleveland over the first three days of July.– Brian Windhorst, ESPN"
What does that mean for the Lakers? They need to come up with a roster with a formidable plan. Mitch Kupchak said on ESPN710 radio that they had several plans in store, but it’s unpredictable how those plans will unravel. Mitch is in a tough situation, and it looks like the best way to use the caproom would be to acquire LeBron James, and get great value role players.
"The NBA issued new projections for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 salary cap and luxury tax thresholds. The 2014-15 salary cap is now projected to be$63.2 million and the tax level is projected to be $77.0 million. The numbers for 2015-16 are now projected to be $66.5 million and $81.0 million, respectively."
According to basketball-reference.com, the Lakers current team cap situation is just under $37 million. The Lakers could add LeBron James, assuming the contract is around $24 million, and still have $5 million to spend. That may be enough to entice a player like Channing Frye. Can Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Channing Frye, Julius Randle, and possibly Pau Gasol cut it?
We don’t know if they can, but the Lakers are trying.