The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA’s first in-season tournament on Saturday by pushing aside the Indiana Pacers 123-109. Although it is fair to question exactly how much weight winning the NBA Cup will carry for a player or franchise, it is safe to say this tourney has been a success for the league.
In addition to raising the level of competition and excitement among players, it has also resulted in a big payday for them. In particular, Lakers players on standard contracts each earned $500,000 while men on two-way contracts netted $250,000 for winning the tourney.
LeBron James, who was named the tourney’s MVP, probably has $500,000 in cash wedged between the cushions of his couch or underneath the seats in his car. But for L.A.’s young players, a six-figure payday means a ton. It means securing their financial future and those of their families, not to mention an opportunity to give back to their communities and help the underprivileged.
A number of these players were grateful for the big bag they secured on Saturday and for James’ help in doing so.
Max Christie
Christie, a second-year wing for the Lakers, still isn’t a full member of head coach Darvin Ham’s rotation. He is making “only” $1.7 million this season, and he appreciates having some extra cash from winning the NBA Cup, although he says he will mostly save his $500,000.
Max Christie: "I'm gonna save [the $500,000]… probably no big purchase… it'll pay off in the end." pic.twitter.com/X7eVIF83TU
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 10, 2023
To him, winning the NBA Cup matters more than the financial windfall that came with it.
Via Andscape:
“To be the first-ever champion of the in-season tournament champion, to me, that means more,” Christie told Andscape. “Don’t get me wrong, the money is in the back of everyone’s mind. But to be the very first to win the trophy feels good.”
Maxwell Lewis
Lewis was a second-round draft pick who has played sparingly for L.A. this season. He will make just over $1.1 million this season from his contract, so he has boosted his pay for the season by nearly 50%.
He is thankful that James wanted to win this tourney not just for himself but for the team’s young players.
“Obviously, [James] doesn’t need it. Just him wanting to do it and helping us out because we’re the young guys is a blessing … What I learned about this environment is that when money is on the line, it is much more serious,” Lewis told Andscape.
D'Moi Hodge
Hodge, an undrafted sharpshooting guard, is on a two-way contract with the Lakers that will pay him just over half a million dollars this season.
But the play of James and Anthony Davis, who dropped 41 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots in Saturday’s final game, means he will now essentially get almost a 50% raise over his original salary.
Hodge said James told him and the other rookies that he would make sure they got their bag.
“He told the rookies, ‘I got y’all. Don’t even worry about it,’ ” said Hodge.
“I am probably going to help my family back home in the British Virgin Islands. My mom, dad and my family is back there. I don’t know if I want to buy something for myself, but I want to help my family first.”
Alex Fudge
Fudge was an undrafted free agent forward whom the Lakers signed to a two-way contract over the summer. He has appeared in only four games and played a total of just 14 minutes, but he is extremely happy that James was looking out for him and his financial security.
“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. This is for everybody,” Fudge 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.”
Like Hodge, the rookie says he will use his $250,000 to help out his loved ones.
“I have never seen that kind of money before, so I’m going to take care of my family and take care of myself,” Fudge said.
Colin Castleton
Castleton, another player L.A. signed as an undrafted free agent, is a big man who has an intriguing set of skills. He has played in only three games this season, but like his fellow young teammates, he will be frugal yet giving with his $250,000 payout.
“Got to save a good amount,” he said. “Enjoy some of it and help my family out as well. We all talk about it. That is what the [veterans] told us as well.”
