The Los Angeles Lakers have officially re-signed LeBron James.
The team made the announcement on Saturday but did not release the terms of the deal. According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, it is a two-year contract worth $101.355 million.
Coming in at almost $3 million less than his $104-million max, the new contract allows the Lakers to avoid the NBA’s second tax apron and the various restrictions that come with it.
James, who will turn 40 in December, averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season — as the oldest active player in the league.
Not only is James the all-time leader in points (40,474), but he’s fourth in assists (11,009), sixth in games played (1,492) and eighth in both three-pointers made (2,410) and steals (2,275).
His 20 All-Star selections is a record, as are his 20 appearances on the All-NBA team. He holds the records for being both the youngest player, and oldest player, to make an All-NBA squad.
James became the youngest to make All-NBA when he was voted onto the team for the 2004-05 season. This past season, he became the first player to be age 39 or older in what became an All-NBA campaign.
“No one plays the game like LeBron James, and his commitment to continuous performance and long-term sustained excellence is unmatched,” said Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka in a statement released by the team.
“LeBron is one of the most dynamic and competitive players to ever take the NBA court and we’re grateful to have his leadership as he returns for a seventh season with the Lakers. Alongside fellow team captain Anthony Davis, LeBron and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will together lead a championship-caliber team that will play with great pride every time they take the floor. Entering his 22nd season of NBA basketball, LeBron continues to remind us that no obstacle is too big and no goal is out of reach. We’re so thankful that the history-making story of LeBron James will continue to be written in front of Lakers fans throughout the world.”
— with files from the Associated Press
After much speculation and anticipation, LeBron James has officially re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The four-time NBA champion and 17-time All-Star made the announcement on his social media accounts, confirming that he will be staying with the Lakers for at least another two years.
This news comes as a relief to Lakers fans who were anxious about the possibility of James leaving the team. The 36-year-old forward has been a key player for the Lakers since joining the team in 2018, leading them to an NBA championship in 2020.
James’ decision to re-sign with the Lakers is a testament to his commitment to the team and his desire to continue competing at the highest level. It also solidifies the Lakers’ status as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference for the foreseeable future.
With James locked in for the next two years, the Lakers can now focus on building a strong supporting cast around him. The team has already made some key moves in the offseason, including acquiring Russell Westbrook in a trade with the Washington Wizards.
Overall, LeBron James’ decision to re-sign with the Lakers is a win-win for both parties. The Lakers get to keep one of the greatest players of all time on their roster, while James gets to continue his pursuit of more championships in Los Angeles. Lakers fans can now look forward to another exciting season with LeBron leading the charge.