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.”