 The maximum salary he could receive of $50 million is $1.5 million less than was his option. Becoming a free agent, he can now negotiate a no-trade clause and maybe even secure a longer-term deal. The bottom line is this is all speculation. The Lakers just hired his buddy, J.J. Redick. He's got a four-year contract. They just drafted Bronny. The theory is LeBron might have an extra bounce in his step. And if he is willing to take less money to get another player...