LeBron agrees to two-year, $97.1M extension with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James becomes highest-earning player in NBA history with two-year, $97.1 million extension

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Aug 17, 2022 3:57 PM ET

"King James" is officially staying in Los Angeles for at least two more seasons, with the option of extending his stay into the beginning of his 40s.

The deal can increase to $111 million if the salary cap in 2023-2024 rises to a substantially higher number.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

The 18-time All-Star's contract helps him make yet another piece of NBA history.

The two-year, $97.1M extension, which includes a 15 percent trade kicker, makes LeBron James the highest earning player in NBA history with $532M in guaranteed money. He surpasses Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/UUHMspiKZp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

As noted by CBS broadcaster John Fanta, the deal "makes sense" for James, given his much-discussed desire to stay in the league long enough to play with his eldest son, 17-year-old Bronny James.

This makes sense: LeBron James’ player option year in his contract extension, 2024-25, is also the first year that son Bronny will be eligible to play in the NBA.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) August 17, 2022

Despite entering the 2022-2023 season with eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis and (possibly) former MVP Russell Westbrook in a dangerous starting lineup on paper, expectations are currently quite low for first-year head coach Darvin Ham's squad. The Lakers won the NBA title in the "bubble" less than two years ago but since then have exited in the first round of the 2021 playoffs and failed to make the tournament in 2022.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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