Last offseason, there was a lot of chatter around LeBron James and his NBA future. Many wondered if he would finally retire or return for yet another season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the end, James chose to continue playing. He exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 NBA season and played his record 23rd campaign. Now, there’s once again speculation about James’ future and where he could land if he opts to return for Year 24.
Would LeBron James Accept a Massive Pay Cut to Join a Super Team?
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently ranked the top-50 free agents entering the 2026 NBA offseason. Pincus predicted that James could seriously consider joining teams like the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, or Cleveland Cavaliers if he opts to continue playing.
But here is the catch: Pincus also pointed out that if James wants to join one of those teams, he will have to take a serious pay cut.
“Perhaps James will look to join a star-laden team such as the Golden State Warriors with Steph Curry or the New York Knicks with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns,” Pincus wrote. “[He could return to] his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for a third and final stop…
“Few of those options will have the power to pay James close to what he earned with the Lakers this year. To chase what is likely his final NBA season, he may need to embrace a significant pay cut.”
The Cavaliers, Warriors, and Knicks are already carrying the top-three largest payrolls in the NBA: $217,367,467 for Cleveland, $211,398,842 for New York, and $208,824,825 for Golden State. Also, all three teams have a ton of contracts on their books for next year, as the Cavaliers have $218,072,505 committed for next season, the Knicks are already at $202,476,948, while the Warriors have $182,837,620 on the books for 2026-27.
Cleveland’s money is tied up in Donovan Mitchell ($50,105,628), Evan Mobley ($$50,105,628), James Harden ($42,317,307 player option),and Jarrett Allen ($28,000,000) among others.
Golden State’s top salaries for next season belong to Stephen Curry ($62,587,158), Jimmy Butler III ($56,832,773), and Draymond Green ($27,678,571).
Meanwhile, the Knicks have Karl-Anthony Towns ($57,078,728), OG Anunoby ($42,500,000), Jalen Brunson ($37,739,521), Mikal Bridges ($33,482,145), and Josh Hart ($20,923,760) on their books for next year.
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James was the 12th-highest-paid player in the NBA this season, earning $52,627,153 with the Lakers. If he wants to leave Los Angeles to chase a championship with a loaded roster, he’d have to settle for significantly less money. It remains to be seen if he’s open to taking a pay cut, but looking at his history, it is not out of the question.
Back in the summer of 2010, when James left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, he signed a six-year, $110.1 million contract, leaving roughly $15 million on the table. He did this so that Miami could have enough cap room to add key pieces around him, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The plan worked, and Miami’s Big 3 won two championships.
It’s also worth noting that James has a net worth of $1.4 billion, as he brings in a ton of money off the court from his endorsements, investments, and other endeavors. If there’s anyone who could take a pay cut and find a way to make up the money elsewhere (or not and be just fine), it’s James.
While the Warriors’ landing spot appears to be the most realistic scenario, the Knicks option seems like a stretch.
New York has been linked to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may finally be traded this summer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has previously reported that Antetokounmpo showed interest in a move to the Knicks at one point. If the Knicks end up going all-in on the Greek Freak, then a move for James would appear unlikely.
As for the present, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game during the regular season. He helped the Lakers put together a 53-29 record and secure the No. 4 seed in the West. But with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves both sidelined with injuries heading into the playoffs, James will have to shoulder a lot of the load on his own.
There is one more thing worth noting, and it’s that Pincus also mentioned in his report that James could very well end up returning to the Lakers next season.
“He may choose retirement. He could return to the Lakers (if they’ll have him — though they may turn the page to build properly around Luka Dončić),” Pincus notes.
For now, everything is still uncertain. Whether James chooses to stay, sign elsewhere, or even retire remains to be seen.
