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Los Angeles Lakers sign LeBron James to a 2 - Year Contract Extension
Introduction
On Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 the Los Angeles Lakers veteran superstar shooting guard / small forward, LeBron James, has agreed to a 2 - year, $97.1 million contract extension that includes a player option for the 2024 - 2025 NBA season.
Contract Details
This new extension, which includes a 15 % trade - kicker, makes LeBron the highest - earning player in rich history of the National Basketball Association with $532 million in career guaranteed money, surpassing Brooklyn Nets veteran superstar shooting guard / small forward in Kevin Durant.
LeBron is also ineligible for a no - trade clause due to the fact that he already agreed on a contract extension as opposed to a new fresh contractual agreement, but the new deal’s starting salary of $46.7 million is the 15 % trade kicker, and LeBron’s standing as one of the NBA’s all - time historical greats most likely made him a Los Angeles Laker for as long as he so chooses to be.
Previously LeBron had been entering the last year of his last contract with the Los Angeles Lakers (worth $44.5 million), and he now joins NBA All - Star Anthony Davis with them both being able to negotiate new contracts with the L. A. Lakers or become unrestricted free agents after the next 2 - NBA seasons.
With this new agreement between the Los Angeles Lakers and James, the 4 - time NBA champion and MVP and 18 - time NBA All - Star selection abolishes any concerns that LeBron could enter free agency as soon as the next summer. Although the approaching 38 - year - old James continues to remain an All - NBA - level ball player and he serves as the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Lakers' hopes for winning any NBA championship titles in the near future.
LeBron is now completely ineligible to be traded to another NBA franchise during the upcoming 2022 - 2023 NBA season due to the fact that the 2nd - year of his new contract extension exceeds a 5 % raise causing his contract to be non - tradable.
The Los Angeles Lakers could have over $20 million in salary - cap space for the 2023 NBA offseason, and that provides their franchise the capability to sign a 3rd - max contract player in addition to James and Davis during the 2024 offseason. The player options would increase the salary - cap space if the players decline them, and yet remain on new contractual agreements with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Potentially Playing with his Son
LeBron’s oldest son, Bronny James, is currently beginning his senior year of high school basketball, making him eligible for the NBA draft by the year of 2024. LeBron has repeatedly expressed his interest to team up with his son on an NBA team before he does eventually retire from playing basketball in the NBA.
The 2021 - 2022 NBA Season for LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs during the 2021 - 2022 NBA season even though LeBron averaged 30.3 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, and 6.2 assists per game. Unfortunately, injuries limited James to playing only 56 - games last season.
Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
- 4 - Time NBA Champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 4 - Time NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 4 - Time NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
- 18 - Time NBA All - Star Selection (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- 3 - Time NBA All - Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018)
- 13 - Time All - NBA First Team Selection (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
- 3 - Time All - NBA Second Team Selection (2005, 2007, 2021)
- 2- Time All - NBA Third Team Selection (2019, 2022)
- 5 -Time NBA All - Defensive First Team Selection (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- NBA All - Defensive Second Team Selection (2014)
- NBA Rookie of the Year Award (2004)
- NBA All - Rookie First Team Selection (2004)
- NBA Scoring Champion (2008)
- NBA Assists Leader (2020)
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
- 4 - Time Associated Press Athlete of the Year Award (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 3 - Time Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Award (2012, 2016, 2020)
- Time Athlete of the Year Award (2020)
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year Award (2012)
- 2 - Time National High School Player of the Year Award (2002, 2003)
- McDonald's All - American Game MVP (2003)
- 2 - Time First - Team Parade All - American (2002, 2003)
- 3 - Time Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001, 2002, 2003)
Sources:
“LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers agree to 2 - year, $97.1 million extension that includes 3rd - year player option”, Adrian Wojnarowski, espn.com, Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
“LeBron James”, basketball-reference.com, Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
“LeBron James”, spotrac.com, Wednesday, August 17, 2022.