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LeBron James agrees to history-making contract extension with Lakers
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., March 21, 2022. /CFP

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., March 21, 2022. /CFP

LeBron James has agreed to a two-year NBA contract extension worth $97.1 million with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

The deal, according to ESPN and The Athletic, includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, in which James could see his 17-year-old son Bronny become an NBA rookie.

The contract could be worth $111 million to the superstar forward if the NBA salary cap makes a major jump for the 2023-24 campaign.

The terms would give James a career guaranteed total earning of $532 million, edging the four-time NBA scoring champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant for the record guaranteed career earnings total.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington DC, U.S., March 19, 2022. /CFP

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington DC, U.S., March 19, 2022. /CFP

James, 37, said he wants to play through the 2024-25 season for the chance to play alongside his eldest son, a top high school prospect in Los Angeles.

James, who would have been entering the final season of his Lakers' contract in October, will now be able to negotiate a new deal or become a free agent in two seasons, the same options available to star teammate Anthony Davis.

The Lakers won their most recent NBA title in 2020 but missed the playoffs last season, going 33-49, and James was limited to 56 games by injuries although he averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists a game.

Source(s): AFP

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