In the early morning of June 30, Beijing time, agent Rich Paul announced: James gave up the $51.4 million player option for next season and decided to jump out of the contract. However, James will not enter the free market, and he will sign a new contract with the Lakers. According to the rules, the Lakers can give James up to three years and $162 million in salary cap contracts.
James' contract extension with the Lakers was expected. After all, the Lakers have selected Bronny, and James has fulfilled the wish of father and son on the same team, so what reason is there to leave the Lakers? Rich Paul revealed that James is willing to take a pay cut to help the Lakers bring in reinforcements. So that veterans like James Harden or Klay Thompson can sign with the Lakers.
If James doesn't jump out of his contract, the Lakers only have a base salary and a $5.18 million mini-mid-range available, and it is impossible to attract quality players. If the Lakers want to free up $12.9 million in the full midrange, James can't make more than $32.76 million next season. That means James is taking a pay cut of nearly $20 million.
Rich Paul explains James' thinking: "He's willing to take a pay cut for veterans like Harden, Klay, Varland to sign with the Lakers, but if the Lakers can't attract such a player with a full midrange ($12.9 million), James will seek a salary cap." NBA Register Chris Haynes has revealed that James will not take a pay cut for mediocre players.
The ideal is very plump, and the reality is very skinny. Varland may accept a $12.9 million contract, but it's hard to get Harden and Klay to take so many pay cuts! Today, NBA's Shams reported that Klay is determined to find a new home, and he and the Warriors believe that their 13-year partnership is over, and the Lakers, Mavericks and Clippers are all interested in Klay.
Klay grew up in Los Angeles and his dad, Michael Thompson, played for the Lakers for many years, and Klay did have the desire to join the Lakers. But Klay left the Warriors because he didn't want to take a pay cut, and now let him accept the 12.9 million middle class, can you think about how likely it is? If the Lakers want to give Klay a big contract, they can only do so by signing first and then trading.
So the question is, are the Warriors willing to sign first and then trade? And also give Klay to the Western team! NBA Register Shams reports that the Warriors are open to Klay's sign-and-trade trade and are willing to use it to boost Klay's earnings. It's a win-win situation, the Warriors can replenish the players, and Klay can get the big contract he wants.
Klay Thompson has played 77 regular-season games this season, 63 of them starts. He averaged 29.7 minutes per game, 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.2%, 38.7% and 92.7% from three. This statistic does not include the play-offs: Klay scored 0 points on 0-of-10 shooting, and the Warriors were eliminated by the Kings.
Didn't you say before that the Magic were interested in Clay? That's right! However, the Magic are also reluctant to give him a long-term contract, and they prefer to offer Klay a 1+1 contract. And the Magic's first choice is not Clay, but George! Pepper has jumped out of his contract, and tomorrow at 6 o'clock free agency opens and George will have a conversation with the Clippers, 76ers, and Magic.
Final question: Do you think Klay is a good fit for the Lakers? Can he accept the $12.9 million middle class?