LeBron James Signs 2-Year, $97.1 Million Extension With Lakers, Paving The Way To Team Up With Bronny In 2024

LeBron James has agreed to a 2-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers through the 2024-25 season, paving the way for him to team up with his son Bronny when his son becomes NBA-eligible in 2024.

James has a player option for the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowki.

The extension means James has career earnings of $532 million in guaranteed money, taking him past Nets star Kevin Durant, according to ESPN.

James’ current contract is for $44.5 million for the upcoming season, and now he and the Lakers can avoid talk of impending free agency. He averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists last season while injuries limited him to 56 games.

James, who turns 38 Dec. 30, said in February he plans to play his final season in 2024 with Bronny, currently a senior at Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles.

“Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be,” LeBron told The Athletic, reprising a scenario from his childhood when Ken Griffey and his son, Ken Griffey Jr., played together for the Seattle Mariners. “I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

The 6-foot-3 Bronny James is considered a good, if not spectacular high school point guard, who is being recruited by schools like Oregon, USC and Ohio State, among others.

Most people in the industry expect that if Bronny does choose a college over a developmental option like the NBA G League or Overtime Elite, he will and up at a Nike-sponsored school. After all, the family’s connection to Nike runs deep. LeBron has been sponsored by Nike since he entered the NBA in 2003 and inked a lifetime deal with the company in 2015.

After Internet reports surfaced this week that Oregon was the favorite to land Bronny, LeBron took to Twitter to dispute them.

With the player option for 2024-25, LeBron now has the flexibility to work out an arrangement where he teams up with Bronny either with the Lakers or another franchise.