LeBron James to Return for Record-Tying 22nd NBA Season with Lakers

NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James has officially announced his return for a 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the league record. This move brings the possibility of a historic father-son duo on the court, as James could share the floor with his son, Bronny, as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James has agreed to a two-year contract with the Lakers, a deal that includes a player option for the second year, allowing him the flexibility to become a free agent next summer. The agreement also features a no-trade clause, as reported by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

ESPN reported that the deal, negotiated by James’s agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, might be for slightly less than the maximum salary James could have commanded. This strategic move aims to provide the Lakers with roster flexibility and avoid the penalties associated with the NBA’s second apron. 

Despite this, James is expected to earn around $50 million this season, pushing his career on-court earnings to approximately $530 million, making him the first player in NBA history to surpass the $500 million mark.

LeBron James’s illustrious career is marked by numerous records and milestones. He is the all-time leader in points scored (40,474), fourth in assists (11,009), sixth in games played (1,492), and eighth in both 3-pointers made (2,410) and steals (2,275). His 20 All-Star selections and 20 appearances on the All-NBA team are both records. Remarkably, he holds the distinction of being both the youngest and oldest player to make an All-NBA squad.

At 40 years old this December, James continues to defy age with his performance. Last season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, making him the oldest active player in the league. His durability was on display as he played in 71 games, including 42 after turning 39.

The Lakers have made several strategic moves to align with James’s career and family interests. The team recently hired his podcast partner as the franchise’s head coach and selected his eldest son, Bronny, in the second round of the draft. This positions the Lakers to potentially make history with the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history.

Securing this contract was a critical step for James before joining USA Basketball for the start of its training camp in Las Vegas. The squad is preparing for the Paris Olympics, where James will compete for the fourth time, aiming to add to his collection of gold medals from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.