Cut salary and stay! James has conditions! Pelinka responded: I don’t make the decision!

"I am willing to take a salary cut like Durant. I don't want the veto power over trades or the maximum salary. I just want to end my career with the Lakers."

When James said this in an interview, it was enough to stir up a wave of waves.

But at the end, he added:

"I have two small conditions."

The story of the Lakers and James has become increasingly subtle from this sentence on.

Although he is 40 years old, judging from his competitive status, James is still a star in the league's star echelon. Last season's average of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game is still better than many young stars, but the problem now is that the Lakers management does not seem to be in a hurry to renew his contract.

For James's "salary cut statement", to a certain extent, it is more like a secret emotional catharsis:

"You no longer need to doubt my loyalty. I want to stay, but you have to allow me and my son to have a decent future."

For James' two The conditions are not harsh at all in terms of value:

First, add a player option to the contract to give him a way out;

Second, the Lakers will execute the remaining two years of Bronny's contract next summer;

The core of these two conditions is not difficult to understand. James still seems to want to ensure that the story of father and son on the same team can continue. Although some people don't care, for Lao Zhan, this is not only a court choice, but also the final moment of his career script, which naturally needs to be handled carefully.

But this sentiment in the story happened to be met with the cold face of Lakers general manager Pelinka:

"Of course I hope that James retires with the Lakers, but I can't decide on his two conditions. Whether Bronny's contract should be implemented depends on whether he has improved."

As soon as these words came out, it was enough to arouse the heat, and it seemed to also reveal something: feelings are feelings, and the game is a game.

From James' perspective, this is obviously not the answer he wants to hear. One is willing to cut his salary, and the other is talking about future progress. Even if he puts down his posture, Pelinka's reaction is not what he expected.

Of course, this is not unexpected. The NBA is realistic enough. It is difficult to have both feelings and interests in this league.

Back to the basics, the key to this contradictory line does not lie with James and Pelinka, but mainly with Browne.

If James wants to continue the legendary story of father and son on the same team, Pelinka needs to see progress. But the problem is that Bronny's rookie season performance was really mediocre, far from the level of a stable rotation. And if there is still no significant growth in the new season, the Lakers' top management may really not implement his contract.

If Bronny is given up, James' retirement plan may have to be rearranged. With Bronny leaving, it would be meaningless for James to stay with the Lakers. Father and son would be reduced to a one-man show on the same stage. This is naturally not what James wants to see. What he needs is a bet, a bet that he still has time, a bet that his son can grow up, and a bet that the Lakers are willing to leave a place for feelings.

But from a management perspective, it is indeed not easy for the Lakers. They need to consider the salary cap, the depth of the lineup rotation, and the room for growth of the young core in the team. Giving James a new contract also means that the team must sacrifice operational flexibility in the next few years. What's more, the Lakers have been deeply dependent on stars in recent years and need to use Doncic's name to enter a new era.

From the perspective of both parties, James and the Lakers still have opportunities now, but from a follow-up perspective, they still need to find a balance between feelings and the future that convinces everyone.

The second half of the Los Angeles story has just begun, and James and Pelinka still have to wait for James and Pelinka to decide how to start.