In the summer of 2024, LeBron James’ future is always the most talked about topic. Many sources say that he is willing to give up the automatic 1-year extension clause with the Los Angeles Lakers with a salary of 51.4 million USD to become a free player.
Many people think that LeBron James wants to return to his hometown team Cleveland Cavaliers, or join a young team lacking superstars like Oklahoma City Thunder. However, most people explain that LeBron James’ actions are just to see the developments at the 2024 NBA Draft, where his son Bronny James is participating.
Previously, LeBron James had repeatedly expressed his intention to play with Bronny James for at least 1 year. It is understandable that any team that chooses Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft will have a great opportunity to have LeBron James’ service as a free transfer.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Bronny James has received offers from 10 different teams to practice. However, the eldest son of LeBron James will only accept offers from the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. Some rumors say that the Phoenix Suns are aiming to select Bronny James with Pick 22 of the 2024 NBA Draft. If this happens, it is not impossible that LeBron James will play for the Phoenix Suns in the 2024/25 season.
Why LeBron James might join the Phoenix Suns?
If the Phoenix Suns select Bronny James in Pick 22 of the 2024 NBA Draft, they will likely also have the services of LeBron James. The superstar born in 1984 has repeatedly expressed his desire to play with his son and emphasized that he will do anything to make his dream come true.
In theory, the Phoenix Suns would be a great landing spot for LeBron James. They have star players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, but they lack the kind of true leader who can make it far in the NBA Playoffs. That’s something LeBron James has in abundance, and he can also provide the ball-handling ability the Phoenix Suns sorely lacked last season.
At that time, the Phoenix Suns will become one of the most watchable teams in the NBA. As for Bronny James, he is predicted to have little chance of being in the starting lineup, but will bring a suitable choice from the bench.
Will LeBron James accept a pay cut to join the Phoenix Suns?
However, LeBron James’ move to the Phoenix Suns is only suitable in theory. Moreover, this move forces LeBron James to accept “lowering himself” and accepting an extremely low salary. Remember, the Phoenix Suns have exceeded the maximum salary cap and must pay a fine of nearly $ 127 million for the 2024/25 season.
Therefore, the Phoenix Suns certainly will not have the salary fund to sign LeBron James, unless the star born in 1984 humbles himself to accept the allowed figure of 3 million USD. For a player who is still at the peak of his performance, ranked in the top 10 best players in the NBA, LeBron James will certainly find it difficult to accept this figure.
There have been plenty of veteran players in NBA history who have accepted lower salaries to play, but that’s because they’re in the twilight of their careers and can’t play as well as they did in their prime. For LeBron James, who averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists last season, it would be unthinkable for him to accept a pay cut.
Therefore, the Phoenix Suns may still choose Bronny James in Pick 22 of the 2024 NBA Draft. But to attract this player is a completely different story and most likely, they will take advantage of this to trade Bronny James back to the Los Angeles Lakers to seek some benefits in the future.
