LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $104 million contract to return to Los Angeles Lakers, CBS Sports activities NBA insider Invoice Reiter confirmed. The deal can pay James his most wage for the 2024-25 season, however embrace a participant choice for the 2025-26 season, giving James flexibility about his future plans. The deal additionally features a no-trade clause, a contractual perk that James has solely ever had as soon as in his profession. James is reportedly nonetheless speaking with the Lakers about probably leaving $1 million or so on the desk to assist the Lakers keep beneath the second apron and retain a little bit of roster-building flexibility, however these conversations are ongoing for now, in line with Adrian Wojnarowski.
The worth right here is notable as a result of James had beforehand been open to taking a major pay lower as a way to give the Lakers the monetary flexibility wanted to make a significant improve, both by the non-taxpayer mid-level exception or another means. Experiences indicated that he was keen to probably depart as a lot as $20 million on the desk to assist the Lakers enhance and have an opportunity to win on the highest ranges once more.
Nevertheless, his willingness to take action was restricted to the staff’s capability to seek out such impression assist. He was reportedly open to doing so to assist the Lakers get a participant like Klay Thompson, James Harden or Jonas Valanciunas, however the Lakers missed out on Thompson after a pursuit early in free company as he determined to affix the Dallas Mavericks. Harden and Valanciunas had been off of the market by that time, and whereas the Lakers had been reportedly taken with DeMar DeRozan, he, so far, was not keen to signal for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. James’ supply to go away cash on the desk was primarily based on particular timing. He needs to be at Staff USA camp on Sunday and wished a deal performed by then. The Lakers could not discover the assistance he wished, so he decides to take the max.
The no-trade clause is a rarity for James, however more often than not, he hasn’t been eligible for one. A participant wants three issues as a way to qualify for a no-trade clause: eight complete years of NBA expertise, a minimum of 4 together with his present staff, they usually have to be signing a brand new contract somewhat than extending an present one. James performed the primary seven years of his profession with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier than spending a four-year increment with the Miami Warmth. When he returned to Cleveland in 2014, these seven years nonetheless counted, so he was certainly eligible for a no-trade clause and received one then. When he signed with the Lakers in 2018, the four-year clock reset, so he wasn’t eligible.
He has been a Laker for six seasons now, however had not signed a brand new contract at any level in that span, however somewhat, extending present ones. The no-trade clause is just not strictly mandatory for James, as a participant of his stature would by no means be traded with out consent. On the commerce deadline, the Lakers had been approached by the Golden State Warriors a few doable deal, however they consulted with James who confirmed he didn’t need to be moved at the moment. Nonetheless, a participant like James usually needs all the bells and whistles on his contract, and now he and Bradley Beal are the one gamers with specific no-trade clauses of their contracts.
The construction of the deal is notable as properly given its size. James might have signed for as much as three years and roughly $162 million. He as a substitute elected to take what’s successfully a one-year deal, as his participant choice for the 2025-26 season means he can re-enter the free agent market subsequent summer time if he so chooses. At that time, James can be 40, and he may have already performed one season together with his son, Bronny James, whom the Lakers chosen No. 55 total in June’s NBA Draft. If the Lakers cannot discover a means again into the championship image, he now has the liberty to attempt to take action elsewhere.
James has already performed one of many NBA’s longest and most profitable careers. He’s the league’s all-time main scorer and holds a lot of different vital information as properly. He isn’t going to play eternally, and the short-term nature of this deal is a reminder of that. Experiences have indicated that he’s solely planning to play a couple of extra seasons, however on a one-year deal, the possibility all the time exists that he might retire on the finish of the season. James is a Laker for now, however afterward, solely query marks stay.