Overview
- Arenas said on his podcast he would "backdoor" another $50 million to LeBron James through off-court investments to keep him long term.
- He framed the idea as a workaround to the cap, a stance drawing attention as the NBA scrutinizes potential circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard’s endorsement saga.
- LeBron will play this season on a $52.6 million player option after the Lakers declined to extend him.
- Reporting indicates the Lakers prioritized flexibility and committed three years and $165 million to Luka Dončić, and that James wanted an extension the team was unwilling to offer.
- Analysts note the NBA has punished cap circumvention before and cite estimates that LeBron has been underpaid by more than $220 million relative to his on-court value.