LeBron James Will Remain A Los Angeles Lakers Player For At Least Two More Years After Agreeing To $97.1 Million Contract Extension

LeBron James Will Remain A Los Angeles Lakers Player For At Least Two More Years After Agreeing To $97.1 Million Contract Extension

LeBron James is about to be an even richer man.

The Los Angeles Lakers star has reached a two-year, $97.1 million contract extention with the purple and gold team, which includes a player option for the 2024–25 season.

LeBron James, 37, surpasses Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant to become the highest-paid player in NBA history under the agreement, which comes with a 15% trade kicker and $532 million in guaranteed career money.

The deal can increase to $111 million if the salary cap in 2023-2024 rises to a substantially higher number.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

Because he opted for an extension rather than a new contract, LeBron James is not eligible for a no-trade clause, but lets be real: the four-time NBA champion, MVP and 18-time All-Star is likely to stay a Lakers player for as long as he so chooses.

In fact, James previously said,

“I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play.”

As word of his expiring contract — and rumors of him becoming a free agent — began to spread, James shared his plans to spend his last season in the NBA playing on the same team as his eldest son Bronny James (full name LeBron Raymone James Jr.). The earliest the 17-year-old high school athlete could enter the league is the 2024 NBA draft.

The father of three said,

“My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

He continued,

“But I also have a goal that if it’s possible—I don’t even know if it’s possible—and if I can play with my son, I would love to do that. Is that something that any man would want one day in life? That’s the coolest thing that could possibly happen but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be with this franchise.”

James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, a milestone he reached after making a reported $121.2 million in 2021.

What are your thoughts on LeBron James’ contract extension? Let us know in the comments!

[VIA]