LeBron James will extend his contract with the Lakers for another two years, exercising the option for the second year, which will now last until the end of the 2024-2025 season.
ESPN and 'The Athletic' reported Wednesday.
In particular, ESPN quotes Rich Paul, the player's agent: "he has accepted a two-year contract extension of $ 97.1 million".
James, NBA champion with the Lakers in 2020, so far had a one-year contract with the Californian franchise, for which he was to receive $ 44.5 million.
He will now return to the field with LA on the first day of the 2022-'23 regular season, on October 18 when the yellow-purple will face the Golden State Warriors, who won the ring of champions in June.
With the salary cap expected to be negotiated upwards at the end of next fiscal year, his salary could be as high as $ 111 million.
The extension, which includes a 15% signing bonus, would make James the highest paid player in NBA history with $ 532 million guaranteed, surpassing Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, ESPN says.
However, we will have to see what Lebron will do after the 2024 draft, when his eldest son, Bronny, will be eligible for the NBA.
The four-time champion has in fact declared several times that he wants to continue playing in the league until his son does, to play his last season as a player in the same team as Bronny.
Last season James, despite injuries, remained at the highest level, as evidenced by his averages of 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.