The King’s decision is here.
James, 39, has agreed to a two-year, $104 million maximum contract to return to the Lakers, according to ESPN.
The new deal reportedly includes a no-trade clause and a player option.
James’ agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports and the Lakers are still discussing the possibility of James taking about $1 million below max to keep the team under the second-apron and allow room for roster flexibility, a source told ESPN.
Paul said James, who will turn 40 in December, was “prioritizing a roster improvement” while working out his new contract.
James’ new deal puts the Lakers slightly above the $188.9M second apron, per ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks.
The four-time NBA champ opted out of the final year of his contract with the Lakers — worth $51.4 million for the 2024-25 season — last week.
His decision to re-sign came one week after the Lakers selected his oldest son, Bronny James, with the 55th overall pick in the NBA draft.
They will be the first father and son to play in the league at the same time, let alone on the same team.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James told the Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be.
“I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
James is coming off his sixth season with the Lakers, during which he shot a career-best 41 percent from downtown.
He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game in his 21st NBA season.
The Lakers also added James’ good friend and former podcast partner, JJ Redick — who retired from the NBA in 2021 — following Darvin Ham‘s dismissal after two years.
