LeBron James Agrees to a 2-Year, $85M Contract Extension with Lakers
The King is staying in Los Angeles.
LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million max extension with the Lakers on Wednesday, according to The Athletic.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $85 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, CEO of Klutch Sports, Rich Paul, told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2020
James originally signed a four-year, $153.3 million pact with the Lakeshow in 2018 after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. James' deal also included a $41 million player option for the 2021-22 season.
James' new deal now runs through the 2022-23 campaign.
Two year extension for LeBron James:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 2, 2020
2021/22 $41,180,544 (replaces $41,002,274)
2022/23 $44,474,988
James can receive a 105% increase off his 2020/21 salary ($39.2M) and is not restricted by the 35% max rule ($39.3M) for the 2021/22 salary cap.
At the end of his extension, James will have made $435 million in career earnings, the most in NBA history.
It would be logical for Anthony Davis — who is also on the verge of re-signing with the Lakers — to ink an extension that matches up with James' contract.
James' tenure in Los Angeles has been a mutually beneficial one. Despite a lackluster first year in Tinseltown, James — along with AD — led Los Angeles to their first NBA title since 2010.
LeBron averaged more than 25 points and 10 assists in his 17th season.
With James' contract running through the 2023 season, it could mean that LeBron hits the free-agent market the same year that his son, Bronny James, enters the league — if he makes the jump from high school to the NBA like his father.
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