As expected, LeBron James is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, this time another one of those one-plus-one deals.
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Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, James' new contract is for two years and $104 million, with an opt-out after the first season. It also includes a no-trade clause — something James' camp likely wanted after all those LeBron-to-the-Golden State Warriors rumors this past February.
James is just one of two players in the entire NBA with a no-trade clause, joining guard Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns.
James will turn 40 years old in December. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and last season became the first player to make 20 All-Star teams.
This is an interesting signing in the sense that James' new contract will severely limit what the Lakers can do in terms of free agency. But he was among the top two or three free agents on the market, despite his age, and continues to give LA its best chance at winning. That may say more about the rest of the roster than James himself, but it does show that he is still a top-level player (or at least was last season) as he continues to fight off NBA age.
James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers in 2023-24 in 71 games while shooting 54.0% from the floor, 41.0% from 3 and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
(This story was originally posted on Hoops Wire and republished with permission.)
