LeBron James Promised NBA In-Season Tournament Title Victory to Young Lakers Teammates
The NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament championship between the Lakers and Pacers provided plenty of hype. But young players and those on two-way contracts happily embraced a role as the team’s most prominent cheering section. While that group ultimately took home the maximum payday for winning the title, star LeBron James put their minds at ease before the championship game began.
James promised to win the title for his three young teammates on two-way contracts before taking the floor in the championship, as Andscape’s Marc J. Spears revealed.
But even more than that, forward Alex Fudge and guard D’Moi Hodge spoke openly about what James told them before tip-off.
LeBron James and the Lakers celebrate after winning the inaugural NBA in-season tournament.
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
“I knew LeBron was going to do it. He told me before the game and said, ‘This is for you [Alex] Fudge. This is for you for D’Moi [Hodge]. This is for everybody,” Fudge, a Lakers forward on a two-way contract to play offense and defense, told Andscape after the game. “I trusted him and now we’re here. Just knowing that he is thinking about us is a blessing. Not too many people are like that. That just says who LeBron is.”
Hodge echoed the sentiment, telling Spears that James “told the rookies, ‘I got y’all. Don’t even worry about it.”
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For James and the other full-time Lakers players, the first-place payday is worth $500,000, while two-way players will take home $250,000. Although $500,000 isn’t as lucrative to James based on his contract, endorsements and career earnings, it’s a different story for the two-way players and many others on the roster.
Two-way players taking home $250,000 makes a considerable impact, as their contracts are worth $559,782 for the 2023-24 NBA season.
James scored 24 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, ultimately being named the NBA in-season tournament MVP. But the headliner of the team’s championship victory was Anthony Davis, who poured in 41 points with an incredible 20 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Austin Reaves rounded out the top performers for Los Angeles, scoring 28 points on 60% shooting from the field.
