LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $104 million maximum deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season, according to multiple reports.
James, who will turn 40 on Dec. 30, will earn more money in his age 40 and 41 seasons than Michael Jordan made in his entire NBA career combined ($90 million), according to StatMuse, although Jordan made an estimated $2.4 billion extra in corporate sponsorships deals.
James’ new deal reportedly includes a player option in 2025-26 and a no trade clause. The 20-time All-Star and Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns are the only two players in the NBA with a no-trade clause in their contracts. Players must log eight total years of league experience — at least four with their current team — and they must be signing a new contract rather than extending an older deal to be eligible for that contractual perk.
James was eligible to re-sign with the Lakers for up to three years and $162 million, but the structure of his new deal will allow him to play one season with his son, Bronny James, whom Los Angeles selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, before possibly entering free agency where he can extend with the Lakers, sign elsewhere, or retire given his advanced age.
James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds in 2023-24 and was named to the All-NBA team for the 20th consecutive season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, is still having talks with the Lakers about James potentially taking $1 million or so below max to keep the team below the league’s second apron, which will offer greater flexibility in terms of roster flexibility. James has not signed a contract for less than max value since 2016, when he took a three-year, $99.9 million deal to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers are slightly above the $188.9 million second apron after James’ signing, which means they currently cannot acquire players via sign-and-trade, use trade exceptions or take more salary back in trades, sign waived players during the regular season that had salaries over $12.9 million or use the mid-level exception, among other penalties.
Along with selecting Bronny in the second round last week, the Lakers also drafted Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee with the 17th overall pick. Max Christie agreed to a four-year deal to return to the team next season. JJ Redick was hired as the franchise’s next head coach in June, replacing Darvin Ham.
The Lakers went 47-35 last season and were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
