LeBron James signing $97 million contract extension with Lakers

LeBron James will be a Laker for at least two more seasons.

James signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers with a third-year option for 2024-25, according to multiple reports. The timeline of the deal lines up so that James can be a free agent in either 2024 or 2025, when his son, Bronny — who will enter college in 2023 — likely will join the league. James has previously expressed a desire to play with Bronny.

Following a disastrous season in 2021-22, there had been some speculation about the direction of the Lakers, but a recent meeting between James, his agent, Rich Paul, general manager Rob Pelinka and new coach Darvin Ham seems to have helped.

The parties reportedly agreed that the offense should run through Anthony Davis, who missed about half of last season due to injuries.

James, 37, is going into his 20th NBA season and fifth year in Los Angeles. Aside from the 2020 bubble, during which he helped the Lakers to their first championship since 2010, James’ stint has been largely a disappointment. The Lakers have failed to win a playoff series outside of Disney World.

Frank Vogel was fired as the team’s coach last season, clearing the way for Ham, who had been an assistant coach with the Bucks.