Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James continues to play at a high level at the age of 39, a remarkable feat in basketball and potentially across all sports.
Now in his 21st season as a professional athlete, James is the oldest active player in the NBA.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer's sustained excellence on the court defies conventional expectations and demands a huge price tag.
James has already secured the title of the highest-earning player in NBA history, amassing $431.5 million in salary by the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
The four-time NBA champion stands as one of the wealthiest active athletes, with business and financial outlet Forbes estimating his net worth at $1 billion. The same publication ranked him as the fourth-highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023, having earned $119.5 million over the past year.
Despite being financially well-off, James is not done with pursuing top dollar.
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How much money does LeBron James want for next Lakers contract?
James is set to make $47.6 million in the ongoing 2023-24 NBA season with the Lakers, potentially his final season with the purple-and-gold.
As the summer of 2024 approaches, James can either extend his tenure with the Lakers for the 2024-25 season by exercising a player option worth $51.4 million, negotiate a fresh multi-year deal with the Lakers, or explore free agency.
As per ESPN journalist Brian Windhorst, who has been covering James since high school, there are indications that the 20-time NBA All-Star is leaning towards the second option of securing a new multi-year contract with the Lakers.
"First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures. That will be even bigger than the deal he is on now," the 46-year-old analyst said.
Based on the insights from Windhorst, James might be aiming for a three-year contract structure that could see him earn up to $60 million in the last year of the deal, which is projected to be in 2026-27 when he is 42.
This potential arrangement could resemble the structure of the three-year contract extension awarded to Anthony Davis last summer, valued at $186 million.
Davis is set to receive $57.6 million in 2025-26, $62.2 million in 2026-27, and $66.8 million in the final year at 2027-28 based on projections by ESPN insider Bobby Marks.
The Lakers would likely agree on such a deal for strategic business reasons, as it pays for itself all over. The powerful synergy between the Lakers brand and LeBron James' brand is the most formidable marketing force in the NBA.
The four-time NBA Finals MVP's impact transcends his on-court performance, contributing to the team's financial success through filled arenas, increased sponsorships, and more.
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