Fresh off winning the 2020 NBA title, LeBron James has signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth a reported $85 million.James’ agent and CEO of Klutch Sports, Rich Paul, first told The Athletic’s Shams Charania about the new contract, as well as confirming the agreement to multiple outlets on Wednesday.The deal sees him remain a Laker until the end of the 2022-23 season, and opens up the possibility of playing in the NBA at the same time as his son, Bronny.James’ current deal had been set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. As part of the new deal, James is set to earn $41 million in the first year of the extension, before he earns $44.5 million in the final year of his contract.
At the age of 38, he will become a free agent again in 2023 — the same year his eldest son Bronny graduates from high school.Last year, NBA commissioner Adam Silver opened up the possibility to go straight from high school to the NBA — like James did back in 2003 — rather than attend college or play in a foreign league first.Earlier this year, Silver doubled down on this plan, saying: “We haven’t made it a secret recently it is our intention, although we still need to work out the details with the players association, to return to an entry age of 18.”In 2018, James indicated he wanted to play with his son, saying, “If I’m on the same court as my son in the NBA. That would be No. 1 in my lifetime as an NBA player. I’ve thought about it because my son is about to be 14, and he might be able to get in there a little earlier.”Bronny James is currently a sophomore at Sierra Canyon high school in Los Angeles, and is considered to be one of the best high school basketball prospects in the country.
In addition to James’ new contract, on Thursday the Lakers also announced that Anthony Davis had re-signed with the team.Davis was a crucial part of the Lakers’ championship winning team, averaging 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the playoffs.Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not released. However, it has been reported by the NBA that it is a five-year contract worth up to $190m.
CNN Sports
