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.