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Lakers Face $50 Million Shortfall, LeBron’s Future in Doubt

6/20/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lakers Salary Crunch

A $50 million shortfall tied to Austin Reaves’ $20.9 million hold could force the Los Angeles Lakers to lose LeBron James, who earned over $50 million and would need a reduced salary.
Reaves posted 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game; the Lakers must sort contracts for James, Reaves and Rui Hachimura before June 30.
If Lakers cannot meet James’ demands, Golden State Warriors could use a $15.1 million exception to target him.

Summary

LeBron Stays

The Warriors–Lakers trade talks collapsed after LeBron James said he wanted to stay in Los Angeles.
Stephen Curry said he wants to play with LeBron James, calling him lethal and joking about guarding him out of bed.
On The Draymond Green Show Curry said he was curious about a James-Curry partnership, showing enthusiasm beyond routine trade speculation.
In 2024 the Warriors opened Lakers talks that reached ownership level before collapsing.

History

Historical Context

In July 2010 LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed a six-year, $110 million deal with the Miami Heat, forming the “Big Three” with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. That blockbuster free-agency move proved star-driven contracts could reshape league payrolls, a pattern echoed today as the Los Angeles Lakers grapple with salary-cap constraints while trying to retain James.

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Lakers Salary Crunch

A $50 million shortfall tied to Austin Reaves’ $20.9 million hold could force the Los Angeles Lakers to lose LeBron James, who earned over $50 million and would need a reduced salary.
Reaves posted 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game; the Lakers must sort contracts for James, Reaves and Rui Hachimura before June 30.
If Lakers cannot meet James’ demands, Golden State Warriors could use a $15.1 million exception to target him.

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