LeBron James' most recent two-year agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers will make him the highest-paid player in NBA history.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that, according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension on Wednesday that includes a player option for 2024-25 season.
ESPN reported that the agreement makes James the highest-paid player in NBA history, with $532 million in guaranteed earnings throughout his career.
With the guaranteed money, LeBron James salary surpasses Kevin Durant in terms of league history's highest earnings, per a report from CNBC.
Massive Earnings
According to Spotrac, superstar forward LeBron James has made $387 million in his first 19 seasons in the NBA. In 2022-23, which might have been the last season of his deal with the Lakers, he is scheduled to earn $44.5 million, but his most recent contract will see him earn an additional $48.6 million annually.
Even with the extension, the impressive salary won't be the highest in the NBA. The latest contract signed by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will pay the superstar guard $53.8 million annually; this amount will increase to $59.6 million in 2025-2026, per Bleacher Report.
It was planned that LeBron's initial $44.5 million contract would end after this coming season. After two seasons, the contract will now expire simultaneously with Anthony Davis due to the extension.
The next two seasons will be spent in Los Angeles with the four-time NBA champion and the expectation that the city will win another championship.
What is LeBron James Net Worth 2022
James has officially become a billionaire while still playing basketball, according to Forbes, after another record-breaking year of earnings, which totaled $121.2 million before taxes and agents' fees over the last 12 months.
Forbes reported in June that LeBron James Net Worth 2022 has reached $1 billion. James is the first active NBA player to enter the billionaires' list, missing the playoffs this year for just the fourth time in 19 seasons.
James has successfully maximized his company, resulting in pretax earnings of more than $1.2 billion. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers have given him more than $385 million in compensation, making him the highest-paid active player in the NBA.
He has earned over $900 million off the court through endorsement deals and other business endeavors.
But James has long negotiated agreements that grant him stock in the brands he partners with, giving him a share of the profits rather than a one-time payment.
In 2015, he became an investor in the rapidly expanding Blaze Pizza company. He also has invested in companies including ride-hailing behemoth Lyft and smart gym manufacturer Tonal. LeBron James is also a business partner in SpringHill, a TV and film production company, which he co-founded with Maverick Carter.
October last year, external investors, including Boston Red Sox owner Fenway Sports Group, and Epic Games, bought into the venture, which contributed to the production of the HBO documentary What's My Name: Muhammad Ali and the Space Jam: A New Legacy, with $163 million worldwide box office gross.
