After missing out on Klay Thompson, James Harden, and Jonas Valanciunas, the Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing up DeMar DeRozan. But that too seems to be in the air as the Miami Heat are contesting hard for the signing. So, LeBron James’ reportedly offered to sit through a $33 million pay cut to improve the Lakers roster. However, it was later called the “PR Smoke”. And Gilbert Arenas who experienced taking a $16 million pay cut during his Wizards days has a few words for ‘King James’.

On Gil’s Arena Channel, ‘Agent Zero’ and the crew felt that the Lakers failed at James’s offseason challenge. Arenas opted for a $111 million contract instead of a supermax $127 million to make space for forward Antawn Jamison. However, the 3x All-Star feels it is not King James’ responsibility to take a pay cut. Instead, he pointed out that the team owners should be responsible for the same.

“F**k  no don’t take no pay cut,” Arenas said, via Gil’s Arena. “If you’re at a workplace you’re not taking a pay cut for a friend for nothing. Why isn’t the real billionaire taking a pay cut? Remember he has a profit too. So, he don’t want to take a pay cut in his profit so he wants the player to do it.” Ever since Bronny James‘ draft, a lot of questions were asked about King James’ future, which the former Wizards player isn’t a fan of.

According to Gilbert Arenas, it is the owners’ responsibility to protect their investments. Pushing it on players isn’t the right move, however, it has been going on forever in the basketball world. Just like Arenas did 16 years ago forgoing his $16 million.

The situation is a lose-lose for LeBron James, as per Arenas’ crew. If James accepts the money then the narrative would be about him not sacrificing for the team. And if he accepts the pay cut, and the franchise fails to reach the playoffs, the #23 would still be blamed. Just like with the news of him taking a pay cut was considered a “PR Smoke” by his long-time rival.

Does Gilbert Arenas’ assessment of LeBron James stand true?

Skip Bayless on his X took a shot at Rich Paul and said, “No way LeBron was going to take less than the max $160 mil for 3 yrs.” And now reports from ESPN confirm that LeBron James has agreed to sign a two-year, $104M max deal to return to the Lakers. The deal includes a player option and a no-trade clause.

The Lakers are slightly above the $188.9M second apron, and Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that LeBron might take a lower contract. “There’s still a conversation with agent Rich Paul and Lakers on James taking $1 million or so below max to keep team below second-apron and able to keep a little more roster-building flexibility, source tells ESPN.”

So Gilbert Arenas’ statement on LeBron not taking a lower contract came true. But this comes with limitations as the Lakers can only make 1 for 1 trades. And they can’t bring in more salary than they send out.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.