Following news that his son Bronny had signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, star LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $104 million maximum contract to return to the team.
The signing ensures that LeBron’s dream of playing with his son on the same NBA roster will come true this upcoming season.
James’ new deal, slightly more understandable than the one his son received, reportedly includes a no-trade clause and a player option.
It is the ‘maximum’ deal according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, though he also indicates the Lakers are still in discussion with James’ agent about him accepting $1 million less to keep the club “below second-apron and able to keep a little more roster-building flexibility.”
LeBron James had told team officials he would take a pay cut to help them sign an impact-level free agent, but the maximum contract signing seems to suggest he changed his mind.
RELATED: Flashback: Bronny James Predicted No Team Would Take Him In The Draft Simply To ‘Get His Dad’
LeBron James Making Bank With New Contract
Okay, so if LeBron James sticks with this ‘maximum’ contract as defined by Wojnarowski, it means the Lakers will be significantly hamstrung in trying to sign free agents.
Thankfully, though, they had a stellar draft to buoy their aging and unmotivated roster. Just kidding, they wasted their second-round pick on Bronny, who averaged a lights-out 4.8 points per game at USC.
Well, at least they made a huge splash with their head coach hiring. Just kidding there as well. After being spurned by UConn coach Dan Hurley, Los Angeles had to settle for JJ Redick who has zero coaching experience and, up until two months ago, was a podcaster.
Actually, I lie, he did volunteer as head coach for his son’s 4th Grade Boys Team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy.
NBA Finals, Boston Celtics, here comes the Lake Show! Look out!
RELATED: Bronny James Says ‘It’s Tough’ Being LeBron’s Kid: ‘A Lot Of Criticism Gets Thrown My Way’
That’s Not How Pay Cuts Work
LeBron James, the four-time NBA champion, opted out of the final year of his contract with the Lakers last week. It would have paid him $51.4 million for the 2024-25 season.
Re-signing at $104 million over two years is an average of $52 million.
He uh, he didn’t take a pay cut at all.
No worries though. While the Lakers are wasting roster spots on their nepotism picks and wasting money on aging stars, the James household will be relishing in their combined $111.9 million.
Somebody is a winner at least.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka – You’re doing a hell of a job.
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