James returns to the NBA for his 22nd season as part of the deal, which effectively makes it a one-plus-one exchange that lets him reevaluate his Lakers and NBA prospects the following summer.
James is one of just two NBA players with no-trade clauses, the other being guard Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers’ maximum deal of $104 million would significantly restrict the team’s roster flexibility and put them approximately $1 million over the league’s new punitive salary cap.
According to insiders, James’ agent Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, is scheduled to speak with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka about the potential of accepting a payment of about $1 million less than the maximum in order to keep Los Angeles under the $188.9 million second apron.
Additionally, a league source told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the Lakers and Bronny James Jr., the 55th pick in this year’s draft, had agreed to terms on James Jr.’s rookie deal on Wednesday.
According to the source, he consented to a $7.9 million, four-year contract with a team option in the fourth year. As Bronny James and his father join the Lakers, they may become the first father-son team to play in the NBA simultaneously in the history of the league.
LeBron James is regarded as one of the best players in NBA history and will turn 40 on December 30. He ranks fourth all-time in assists, ninth in steals, eighth in made 3-pointers, and third in made free throws.
He is the only player to reach 40,000 career points. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whom James had previously surpassed for the all-time scoring record, was surpassed by James to become the first player in NBA history to be selected to 20 All-Star teams last season. James also holds the record for most All-NBA choices (20) and first-team All-NBA selections (13).
In addition, he leads the NBA in postseason points scored all time and ranks among the top 10 in steals (10th), blocks (10th), assists (2nd), rebounds (4th), 3-pointers made (3rd), and free throws made (first).
In 2020, during the NBA’s bubble season, the four-time champion and MVP, who guided the Lakers to their 17th championship, averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds.
He was 39 years old. The only three players in the NBA past season to average at least 25, 8, and 7 were James, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic.
In his six seasons in Los Angeles, the Lakers, however, failed to go past the first round for the fourth time. James played for the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, making it to the NBA Finals eight times in a row. He also won at least one postseason series in thirteen of those seasons prior to joining the Lakers.
