Reports have confirmed that LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a contract extension worth $97.1 million over two years. This deal includes a player option for the 2024-2025 season and makes James the highest-paid player in NBA history, with $532 million guaranteed. The basketball star will be able to become a free agent in 2024 or wait until 2025 to join his 17-year-old son, Bronny, who is expected to enter the league then. James has expressed his desire to play alongside his son, who is currently in his senior year at LA’s Sierra Canyon School. The new agreement also includes a 15-percent trade kicker, making it improbable for James to be traded before the expiration of the deal. Additionally, he is ineligible for trading during the upcoming season due to NBA regulations, which mandate that a raise greater than 5 percent in the second season of a new deal disqualifies a player from being traded. There has been no official response from Lakers representatives regarding the specifics of the contract extension. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news of the extension, which could be valued at up to $111 million, depending on the NBA’s fluctuating salary cap, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
At 37 years of age, LeBron James triumphed once again, garnering his fourth NBA championship with the Lakers in the year 2020.
LeBron James has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $97.1 million, putting him under contract until 2023. He was set to earn $44.5 million in the final year of his previous deal, but will now make $46.7 million in the upcoming season. James and teammate Anthony Davis will have the option to become free agents in either 2024 or 2025. The Lakers are hoping to rebound after a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Despite injuries, James had a strong season, averaging more than 30 points per game and making 2.9 3-point field goals per night. James recently became the second athlete to become a billionaire while still playing professionally, following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan. His son, Bronny, is expected to play another season of high school basketball before possibly playing in college and being eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft. While there were rumors that he may attend Oregon, LeBron denied these reports on social media.
LeBron James may only be the runner-up when it comes to athlete earnings, with a total of $121.2 million in salary and endorsements, as PSG and Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes the top spot, earning $130 million. Nevertheless, LeBron’s expertise in investment has allowed him to accumulate a much larger fortune than other famous athletes such as Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson, Floyd Mayweather, and even Messi.
LeBron James, a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, observed his son Bronny play alongside Sierra Canyon High School during the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic match against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School at Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2019 in Columbus.
LeBron James has denied reports that his son, Bronny, has committed to the University of Oregon for basketball. The typical recruitment process for high school basketball players involves a series of phone calls with interested schools and an official visit to the campus. Bronny is currently one of the most highly sought-after recruits, with Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina among his reported suitors. While he has not yet visited Oregon, his father’s long-standing business relationship with Nike could make the school a viable option. However, recent reports suggesting that Bronny is considering attending USC or Ohio State have been refuted by LeBron. Bronny made headlines recently after a viral video showed him throwing down a one-handed dunk at a tournament in Paris.
Trail Blazers supporters were intrigued by Tuesday’s announcement, as they pondered the possibility of the legendary basketball player joining the team in order to be nearer to his youngest son, Bronny, if he attends school in Eugene. It should be noted that James has four children and it is assumed that the rest will be residing in Los Angeles, regardless of Bronny’s location.
The recent news of LeBron James potentially playing in the NBA with his son, Bronny, has gained a lot of attention. This is reminiscent of when Ken Griffey Sr. played baseball with his Hall of Fame son and namesake, Ken Griffey Jr. Interestingly, some fans of the Portland Trail Blazers have been hopeful that James will sign with their team to be closer to Bronny, in case he attends school in Eugene. However, it’s important to note that LeBron has three other children who will likely be residing in Los Angeles.
Ken Griffey Sr. gained recognition with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Seattle Mariners, where his son and future baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was also playing. Similarly, LeBron James, who has been a part of the Los Angeles Lakers since 2018, has expressed his interest in playing alongside his son Bronny, who may be drafted by an NBA team as early as 2025. In an interview with The Athletic in February, James stated that his last playing year would be with his son, wherever he is. James isn’t the first professional athlete to play alongside their child; NHL legend Gordie Howe played alongside his sons Mark and Marty on the WHA’s Houston Aeros in the 1970s, and together with Mark on the Hartford Whalers before and after the WHA’s merger with the NHL. In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr., a former Major League All-Star, signed with the Seattle Mariners where his son had already started his distinguished career, and they hit back-to-back home runs against the California Angels on September 14, 1990.
The article discusses James’ retirement plans and his desire to become an NBA team owner, specifically in Las Vegas. According to NBA reporter Ric Bucher, James is in a prime position to land an expansion franchise in the city. However, this would only be possible after the NBA’s current media contracts expire in 2025. Though James would still be eligible to play at age 40, NBA rules prohibit players from owning a stake in their team. Nevertheless, James has expressed his interest in owning an NBA franchise in Vegas, saying, “I wanna own a team…I want a team in Vegas.” It’s worth noting that James is already a partner in the Fenway Sports Group, which gives him minority stakes in several pro sports teams.