Report: LeBron agrees to 1+1 max extension to remain with Lakers

LeBron James is not leaving the Lakers. At least not for a couple more years.

As expected, LeBron agreed to a 1+1 extension with the Lakers, worth $97.1 million if he plays both seasons, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has agreed on a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension – including a player option for the 2024-2025 season, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. James had been entering final year of deal worth $44.5M.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

The deal can increase to $111 million if the salary cap in 2023-2024 rises to a substantially higher number.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

This deal locks LeBron in with the Lakers for the next two seasons, then he will have a player option. The Lakers could not extend LeBron for longer due to the over-38 rule that limits contract lengths for older players (LeBron is 36).

James is now the highest paid player in league history with $532M on court earnings.

Kevin Durant at $508M previously held that mark. https://t.co/xrW4ES2XUQ

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 17, 2022

LeBron had established himself and his family in Los Angeles — his children are comfortable in school here, the production company that will be a focus of his post-basketball life is here — and his social media throughout much of the summer highlighted how much family means to LeBron.

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