LeBron James to stay with Los Angeles Lakers for two years on $104M deal
He is the first player to be selected for 20 All-Star teams
LeBron James will return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season after agreeing to a new two-year $104 million deal with the club, ESPN reported on Wednesday citing sources.
James, who will turn 40 in December, opted out of his existing deal with the club last week in a move analysts said would free up more funds to recruit new players.
The NBA superstar had been widely expected to re-sign with the Lakers, especially after the team drafted his eldest son, Bronny James, last week.
James has long expressed his desire to play in the NBA alongside his son.
Multiple reports stated that James' new deal included a no-trade clause, meaning he could not be traded to another club without his consent.
Last season, James became the first player to be selected for 20 All-Star teams, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whom he had already overtaken for the all-time scoring record, for the most in NBA history. James' 20 All-NBA selections and 13 first-team All-NBA selections are also the highest in the history of the sport.
He also is the NBA's all-time leader in postseason points scored and is in the top 10 in rebounds (fourth), assists (second), steals (first), blocks (10th), 3-pointers made (third) and free throws made (first).
The four-time champion and MVP, who led the Lakers to their 17th title in 2020 in the NBA's bubble, averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds last season in his age-39 campaign. James, Nikola Jokić, and Luka Dončić were the only three players to average at least 25, 8, and 7 in the NBA last season.
The Lakers, however, were unable to get past the first round for the fourth time in his six seasons in Los Angeles. Before joining the Lakers, James reached the NBA Finals eight consecutive years with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers and won at least a single playoff series in 13 consecutive seasons.
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