LeBron James took a discount after all — and now the Lakers have sights set on making additions.
James’ pay cut was a small one, signing for two years and $101.35 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, which is about $3 million less than he was eligible for at the max $104 million for two seasons, putting the Lakers $45,000 under the second apron threshold.
Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the team could sign a player to the taxpayer mid-level exception — which starts at around $5.2 million for the 2024-25 season — if they’re able to salary dump players.
LeBron James (23) agreed to stay with the Lakers on a two-year deal worth just north of $101 million.AP
And, according to Buha, the team could target Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie, who ended his 2023-24 campaign with the Lakers after being waived by the Raptors following a trade from the Nets.
Trent Jr., 25, averaged 13.7 points per game in Toronto last season and hit 39 percent of his 3-pointers on high volume, attempting 6.4 per contest.
Dinwiddie, 31, played 28 games with the Lakers, making four starts, averaging 24.2 minutes.
Gary Trent Jr. is currently a free agent, and the Lakers reportedly have interest.AP
Spencer Dinwiddie played 29 regular season and five playoff games for the Lakers last season.AP
He put up 6.8 points and 2.4 assists on a nightly basis while hitting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc.
His minutes dropped to 14.6 minutes per contest in the playoffs, when he averaged 3.0 points and 1.6 assists in the team’s five-game series loss to the Nuggets in the first round.
