THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The Los Angeles Lakers know a good thing when they see it. One of the most recognisable sports franchises in the world due to its flamboyant days of the 1970's through the 1980's and beyond into the new millennium. The roll call of superstars they've had on their roster over the decades fall nothing short of a who's who in the game of basketball. Whether it be Magic Johnson, to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Lakers basketball is the pinnacle of the sport for drama, and when they landed LeBron James from Cleveland in 2018 a championship soon followed, albeit in the Covid affected season when the league ended up playing in the bubble at Disney World in 2020.
The Lakers have had troubles since and not found the form that won then the title two years ago. However, "King" James is coming off one of his most productive seasons in his own illustrious history. With his contract due to expire there was talk that he would test the free agency market again, but it seems LeBron has set down some deep roots and with that in mind he stayed loyal to the Lakers by agreeing a new deal. One that makes the billionaire the highest paid player in the history of the NBA. A staggering amount of money will be made that sees the player stay until the 2024/25 season. His new two-year extension is worth an estimated $97.1m and takes his career guaranteed earnings up to a whopping $532m. His salary sees him pass the previous best of Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka knew that his asset was worth keeping, "LeBron is a generational basketball player who has proven to be even more impactful as a human being," he said. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with him, ensuring he's a driving force of Lakers culture for years to come. The Lakers platform has proved again and again to be an ideal place for the game's all-time greats to thrive and achieve."
James is closing in on the all-time points scoring record in league history and if he stays healthy and keeps up his points average per game from last season he should overtake the current leader, Abdul-Jabbar, around the All-Star game break time.
Breaking down the deal further he will earn $44.4m this season, which will go up to $46.6m the following campaign. This will increase again in the 2024/25 to $50.4m and then he becomes an unrestricted free agent again. The question will be how many more miles will be left on the clock, and his desire to carry on when he has achieved all there is in the game. Four times he has won the Championship, the same number of MVP titles and each time he has won the Finals he has been named MVP of the series. 18 times an All-Star, with two gold medals with Team USA in the Olympic Games. If he can carry the Lakers one more time during this extension, to another title, then the organisation will look upon this as money well spent.
