Report: LeBron James, Lakers agree to two-year, $97.1 million extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LeBron James reportedly agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal brings James’ guaranteed earnings to $532 million, surpassing Kevin Durant as the highest-earning player in NBA history.
James, 37, is entering the final year of a two-year, $85.7 million contract. He was set to make $44.5 million this season. The deal also reportedly comes with a player option for the 2024-25 season.
James has become a centerpiece of the Western Conference since joining the Lakers in 2018. He led the franchise to its 17th NBA championship, beating the Miami Heat 4-2 in the 2020 NBA bubble, and helped attract All-Star talent including Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook.
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The last two seasons, however, have been anything but smooth sailing in Los Angeles. Following his fourth NBA championship, James battled injuries and missed almost half of the 2020-21 regular season. The Lakers made the NBA playoffs but were quickly bounced 4-2 in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.
Not even the struggles of that season could have been a premonition for what was to come. This past season, Los Angeles suffered what could only be classified as a complete meltdown, going 6-18 out of the All-Star break and missing the play-in tournament altogether.
As the Lakers look to return to championship form, locking down the 18-time All-Star was a step in the right direction.
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