LeBron James intends to sign a two-year, $104-million maximum deal and will be back with the Los Angeles Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Wednesday.
A player option next summer and a no-trade clause will be part of James’ new deal, sources told The Athletic.
James did not exercise his option to accept what would have been a $51.4-million contract for this coming season and instead is seeking a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday.
It was expected that James would technically be a free agent. But it’s also been expected that he would stay with the Lakers.
The Lakers selected Bronny James — LeBron James’ oldest son — on Thursday in the second round of the draft, putting them in position to have the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history.
“He is prioritizing a roster improvement,” James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, told ESPN on Saturday. “He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.”
LeBron James is a four-time champion and is about $20 million shy of becoming the first player in league history to top $500 million in on-court earnings. Add in his many off-court ventures and investments, and his net worth has been presumed to be more than $1 billion for some time now.
He’ll turn 40 in December and will tie former Toronto Raptor Vince Carter this season in terms of most seasons played in NBA history; the 2024-25 campaign will be James’ 22nd in the league. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season — as the oldest active player in the league.
–with files from The Associated Press