LeBron James Signs Two-Year, $104M Contract Extension With Lakers

LeBron James has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $104 million contract that includes a player option for 2025-26 and a no-trade clause, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James signed a multi-year deal that will allow him to reassess his NBA future next summer

James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, will enter his 22nd NBA season in the fall. The contract becomes a one-plus-one deal that allows him to reassess his Lakers and NBA future next summer, per Wojnarowski.

The four-time MVP joins Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal as one of only two players in the NBA with no-trade clauses. The maximum deal of $104 million would put the Lakers about $1 million over the league’s second apron of the salary cap, limiting the team’s roster flexibility.

James’ agent Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, is planning to discuss with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka the possibility of taking $1 million or so below the maximum to keep Los Angeles under the $188.9 million second apron, according to Wojnarowski.

The Lakers could not offer James a contract with more years because of a provision in the collective bargaining agreement called the “Over 38 Rule.”

Meanwhile, the Lakers are also working to sign Bronny James, LeBron’s eldest son and the 55th pick in this year’s draft, to his rookie contract.

Bronny, who turns 20 on Oct. 6, will join LeBron on the Lakers roster. If he stays healthy and everything goes well, they will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time in league history.

James is the first NBA player to surpass 40,000 career points, receive 20 All-Star selections and 13 first-team All-NBA honors

LeBron James is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. During the 2023-24 season, he became the first player to eclipse 40,000 career points. He is also fourth all time in assists (11,009), eighth in steals (2,275), eighth in 3-pointers made (2,410), and third in free throws made (8,390).

Additionally, James became the first NBA player to make 20 All-Star teams and 13 first-team All-NBA selections last season. He has passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in both all-time scoring and All-Star selections.

James is the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists at the age of 39. No other player has ever posted those numbers after their 10th season.

In April, James joined Michael Jordan as the only NBA players with multiple games of 40 points or more after turning 39. James did so twice at age 39 in his 21st season. Jordan, who played until he was 40, did it three times.

James passed Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games in league history

LeBron James also passed Jordan for the most 30-point games in league history. The four-time NBA champ has 674 such games, whereas His Airness had 671. Wilt Chamberlain is third with 557.

Furthermore, James has averaged at least 25 points per game in 20 consecutive seasons of his 21-year playing career, the most in NBA history. Michael Jordan posted 12 such seasons across his 15-year career.

It’s fun to compare the stats of players across different eras of basketball.

However, championships are the most important. An NBA title is what every player plays for.

Despite James helping the Lakers win their 17th title in 2020, the team has been unable to advance past the first round for four of his six seasons in Los Angeles.