Free-agent forward LeBron James is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $104 million max contract, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The new deal includes a no-trade clause and reportedly has a player option for the 2025-26 season, potentially allowing James to enter free agency again next summer.
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and James’ agent, is reportedly negotiating the possibility of James taking approximately $1 million less than his max salary. This concession would keep the Lakers below the new second apron in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), helping them avoid strict roster-building restrictions for tax-paying teams, such as the prohibition on combining multiple outgoing salaries in trades.
James was expected to recommit to the Lakers after declining a $51.4 million player option for the upcoming season. The four-time MVP is entering his 22nd NBA season and has a unique opportunity to play with his son, Bronny James, who was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in this year’s draft. Additionally, James will play under the new head coach JJ Redick, who replaced Darvin Ham in June.
Despite turning 40 this year, James remains one of the Lakers’ most productive players. Last season, the 20-time All-Star led the team in scoring (25.7 points per game) and assists (8.3) while also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He played a key role in helping the Lakers advance past the play-in tournament to the first round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated in five games by the Denver Nuggets.
