Ex-Cavs Teammate Urges LeBron James to Take a Pay Cut for Lakers For One Reason

The NBA free agency officially opens on June 30. After spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James has decided to test free agency. Because of the Lakers' cap crunch, his future with the team remains uncertain, but his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate has some advice.

"If you got to take a couple of mill less to get you a big to make sure that you guys can be where you need to be. If that's LeBron, I think LeBron's smart enough to do that and willing to do that, especially at this point of his career. Bron, you don't need that couple mil," former Cavs star Iman Shumpert said on NBA Today.

It seems that the Lakers are still interested in re-signing the King. However, after signing Austin Reaves to a four-year, $185 million max contract, the Lakers no longer have enough to pay James.

Before going on vacation, James said on his podcast, Mind the Game, that he will only play for a team that's willing to pay him a generous sum.

However, Shumpert also made a valid point regarding the Lakers' need for a big man. Despite the arrival of Deandre Ayton in the lineup last season, he wasn't the type of big man they needed. The Lakers still lack a pure center who can protect the rim on any given night.

The last time we've seen true centers in LA was when JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard were still on the roster. Since being laid off, the Purple and Gold have struggled to find similar players.

NBA insider wants to see LeBron James play for teams outside the Lakers

Right now, the biggest issue that all teams interested in acquiring James have is money.

NBA insider Ramona Shelburne still thinks that playing for the Cavs, Heat, or Warriors makes more sense compared to sticking with LA.

"If you’re going to break up with the Lakers, you got to have a story," Shelburne said.

"Miami is a good story. Cleveland would be a good story. Golden State would be a good story. I wouldn’t have said Miami until they did this last night, but those three teams make sense to me… I wouldn’t say never."

The problem the Cavs, Heat, and Warriors have is that the best they could offer James is the mid-level exception, which ranges from $9 million to $15 million. That's nowhere close to LeBron's asking price.

Among the four teams in the picture, the Lakers have the biggest amount to offer. LA has approximately a little over $50 million, giving them more leverage to sign the King despite his massive $59.5 million cap hold.

It's difficult to tell which direction James is headed this summer. So, despite the buzz among insiders, fans will probably have to wait and see how free agency plays out for the 41-year-old.