Reports: LeBron James agrees to 2-year extension with Lakers

By Associated Press

·August 17, 2022

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) controls the ball during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Los Angeles, Friday, April 1, 2022. The NBA schedule comes out Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2022, and it'll provide the first look at, among other things, when LeBron James might pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time scoring leader. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension through the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent told ESPN and The Athletic.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) controls the ball during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Los Angeles, Friday, April 1, 2022. The NBA schedule comes out Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2022, and it’ll provide the first look at, among other things, when LeBron James might pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

The league-maximum deal includes a player option that would keep the second-leading scorer in NBA history with the Lakers past his 40th birthday in December 2024, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said Wednesday.

James is headed into the final year of his most recent deal with the Lakers, who signed the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and four-time league champion in July 2018. The new deal means the 18-time All-Star will make $46.7 million this season.

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Barring injury, James is likely to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career scoring king this winter. James and the Lakers also still hope to be in contention for another title if James and Anthony Davis can return at full health after an injury-plagued 2021-22 ended without a playoff appearance.

James’ new deal syncs with Davis’ most recent contract extension with the Lakers, allowing both superstars to leave the Lakers or to negotiate new deals in 2024. James’ recommitment to the Lakers also silences persistent talk of his possible departure as a free agent or in a trade.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 22: (L-R) Anthony Davis #3, LeBron James #23, and Quinn Cook #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose during the 2020 NBA championship ring ceremony before their opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

James has missed significant portions of the season due to injury in three of his four years with the Lakers. He was largely healthy in the elongated 2019-20 season when the Lakers won the franchise’s 17th NBA title in the Florida bubble, and he has been every bit the dominant player of his prime when at full strength in the ensuing two years.

Although his contract status inspired plenty of offseason chatter, James seemed unlikely to leave the Lakers after spending the past four seasons of his 19-year career with the storied club. His family is settled in Los Angeles, where his son, Bronny, is a 17-year-old college basketball prospect playing at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth.

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