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LOS ANGELES – LeBron James has agreed to a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James’ agency, Klutch Sports, confirmed the deal on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) during the first week of training camp for the NBA champions. The Lakers are still finalizing their new contract with Anthony Davis, who is also represented by Klutch CEO Rich Paul.
The Los Angeles Times reported that James’ extension is a two-year, $ 85 million contract through the 2022-23 season. The four-time NBA champion is getting the maximum deal to extend his tenure in Los Angeles, where he moved two seasons ago after his second season with his hometown Cavaliers.
James’ previous contract was extended only into next season with a player option for 2021-22, allowing the third-highest scorer in league history to become a free agent next summer if he so chose. Instead, James reportedly committed to playing during his 20th NBA season with the Lakers, where he moved in 2018 after winning titles in Cleveland and Miami.
James turns 36 in four weeks, but the 16-time All-Star’s level of play hasn’t dropped one bit after 17 seasons in the league. Davis and James teamed up last season to win the franchise’s 17th championship in the central Florida bubble. James averaged 25.3 points and led the NBA with 10.2 assists per game last season before winning the NBA Finals MVP award by beating the Miami Heat in a six-game series.
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The Lakers return this winter with a roster that looks even better than last season’s group on paper, with veterans Dennis Schröder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews joining the rotation around James and Davis.
Under the terms reported by the Times, James will earn more than $ 39 million this season, more than $ 41 million next season and more than $ 44 million in the final year of his new contract, during which he will turn 39.
The Lakers have a history of rewarding superstars in their later seasons, allowing them to end the franchise rather than forcing Lakers icons to make tough decisions about how their careers will end. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Kobe Bryant ended their Hall of Fame careers with the Lakers instead of making a pit stop to rake in money with another franchise.
Los Angeles gave Bryant a two-year, $ 48.5 million extension when he was 35 in November 2013. The deal was criticized at the time for its generosity compared to Bryant’s shrinking dominance, but owners Jeanie and Jim Buss felt the contract was an appropriate reward for Bryant’s contributions to the franchise.
James’s new deal currently carries none of those concerns, as he remains an unmatched player even after spending half his life in the NBA.
James has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists in his 17 seasons, and he stayed close to those marks in points and rebounds last season despite becoming a 6-foot-9 point guard who won his first title. of NBA assists.
James and his family already seemed comfortable with a long-term future in Los Angeles. James is increasingly involved in media production in Hollywood, while his eldest son, Bronny, is on track to graduate from Sierra Canyon private school in Chatsworth in 2023.
Davis is almost certain to re-sign with the Lakers this week, and the delay is widely interpreted as part of conversations between Davis and the Lakers about how best to keep the team in contention for the championship over the next few seasons. For example, Davis could structure his deal to allow Los Angeles to seek a third superstar in free agency next summer.
James’ agreement on an extension ensures that Davis will have an invaluable teammate for at least the next three seasons if Davis decides to stay that long. James made notable changes to his game last season to become a playmaker leading the Lakers offense and clearing room for Davis to excel.
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