LeBron James is making it official: He’s coming back for a record-tying 22nd season in the NBA, one where the league’s all-time scoring leader could share the floor with his son Bronny as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told AP.
The second year of the deal is at James’ option and means he could become a free agent again next summer, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced publicly.
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ESPN reported that the Lakers and James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, may agree on a salary slightly less than the max that James could have gotten — a move that could keep the team from reaching the second apron and preserve some roster flexibility going forward.
Either way, the expectation is that James will make around $74 million — give or take a little bit — this coming season, pushing his career on-court earnings to around $790 million.
LeBron James with son Bronny in 2018. Getty
The announcement comes a day after James’ son Bronny was introduced by the Lakers on a four-year deal worth $11.7 million. He’ll be paid about $1.78 million in the first year, with his salary to increase year-on-year.
In comparison to last year’s No.55 pick – James Jr is taking home more in guaranteed money.
Pick No.55 in 2023 , Isaiah Wong, signed with the Pacers on a two-way contract worth $833,627 which is only partially guaranteed if the player secures a regular-season roster spot.
Wong did not play a minute in the NBA last season and is not slated to play in the Pacers’ summer league team, meaning he will likely be a free agent.
Bronny James’ fully guaranteed contract is in stark contrast to the norm, with only three second-round players in 2023 given fully guaranteed deals of three years plus a team option in the fourth year.
The Lakers’ second-round pick in 2023, Maxwell Lewis, was taken No.40 overall and was guaranteed the first two years, with the third year only partially guaranteed.
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Bronny James after scoring to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditio Getty
“Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his hard work. Bronny has earned this through hard, hard work,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
“For us, prioritising player development, we view Bronny as Case Study 1, because his base level of feel, athleticism, point of attack defender, shooting, passing. There’s a lot to like about his game and we sort of build out our player development program holistically, he’s going to have a great opportunity to become an excellent NBA player.”
However, US sport radio personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, told ESPN’s First Take, the Lakers only drafted Bronny for one reason, while criticising Lakers’ legend Magic Johnson for posting congratulatory message for James’ son on social media.
“He didn’t get drafted by the Lakers because he did great at USC, he got drafted by the Lakers because his dad is LeBron,” Russo said.
“I understand nepotism is all over the place but can we leave it alone? Magic Johnson comes out with a congratulatory post for Bronny James, when we know the Lakers would never have taken him with pick No.55 if his father wasn’t LeBron.
“Then LeBron was not yet signed and he kept free agency on the table to see if they would draft Bronny, is the reason why they signed him to begin with. And Magic did that? I’m surprised at Magic.”
LeBron James, Bryce James, Zhuri James, Savannah James and Bronny James in 2023. Variety via Getty Images
Leading into the draft, several NBA scouts gave candid assessments of James Jr’s ability on the court, taking into account he suffered a cardiac arrest in the offseason.
But he played inconsistently at USC after recovering from the frightening cardiac event, recording 4.8 points per game off the bench, shooting 36 per cent from the field.
Yet he was still invited to the NBA combine where he reportedly impressed in various drills while measuring a smidge over 6 foot ‘1 , despite his listed height being 6 foot ‘4. Claims of nepotism and draft manipulation were aired as Team James did everything possible to get James Jr to the Lakers.
Although the general consensus among teams, according to Andscape reporter Marc J Spears, was that James jr needed more work to play in the NBA.
Speaking to ESPN in May, Spears revealed what a couple of scouts had told him about potentially drafting LeBron’s son.
“If the Lakers don’t draft him, I don’t see anyone drafting him. Teams will want him on a two-way, and I don’t think Klutch will want that,” Spears said on what one scout told him.
Another scout told Spears: “Positional athlete. Doesn’t function as an elite athlete. Tweener stuck between two positions. Should be a point guard based on his size, but he can’t run an offence. He’s handicapped as an undersized shooting guard because he can’t shoot.”
LeBron watching over his son’s introductory Lakers press conference. Getty
Not only is LeBron James the all-time leader in points in the NBA (40,474), but he’s 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 is a record, as are his 20 appearances on the All-NBA team. He holds the records for being both the youngest player, and oldest player, to make an All-NBA squad.
No father and son have ever played in the NBA at the same time, let alone on the same team, perhaps driving LeBron even more to share the court with his son.
Speaking to reporters this week, Bronny James acknowledged the pressure that comes with being the son of one of the best players to ever live, yet downplayed the notion that it was his goal to play with his father.
“I’m … trying to get my name out for myself,” Bronny said. “I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day. I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad. That’s always there to take part of, but it wasn’t a main focus of mine.”
LeBron calls out to his son during his year at USC. Getty
“It’s for sure amplified the amount of pressure,” Bronny James said. “I’ve already seen it in (social) media and on the internet and stuff talking about (how) I might not deserve an opportunity. But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for my whole life. It’s nothing different. It’s more amplified for sure, but I can get through it.”
LeBron and Bronny James are likely to join a short list of fathers and sons who have played together in North American professional sports. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together with the Seattle Mariners during parts of the 1990 and 1991 MLB seasons, while hockey great Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers.