LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has agreed to sign a two-year, US$104-million (S$140.6 million) maximum contract to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday (July 3).
Both ESPN and The Athletic, citing sources, said four-times NBA champion James would have a player option for the 2025-26 season and a no-trade clause.
James's decision to stick with the Lakers, who drafted his son last week, was hardly a surprise as several outlets reported over the weekend that he intended to opt out of his US$51.4-million player option for next season and seek a new deal with the team.
Reuters was unable to reach James's agent for comment while the Lakers did not immediately respond when asked to confirm the reports.
In six seasons with the Lakers the four-times league MVP has averaged 27 points per game, eight assists and 7.9 rebounds.
The Lakers finished seventh in the Western Conference this year with a 47-35 record and went on to lose to the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
James, 39, has long expressed a desire to play in the NBA with his son Bronny and the Lakers brought him one step closer to fulfilling that dream by selecting the 19-year-old in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
The younger James, speaking during his introductory news conference this week, said he was ready for the pressure of playing alongside his father, who is regarded as one of the best players in NBA history.
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