LeBron James' Is Now the Highest-Earning Player in NBA History With the Two-Year LA Lakers Contract Extension

LeBron James is now the highest-paid player in NBA history after he inked a two-year extension deal with Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

With the deal, the four-time NBA champion and MVP, and 18-time All-Star eliminates the concern that he could enter free agency next summer, per ESPN.

According to Fox News, James has only had one year left on his current deal with the Lakers.

LeBron James Contract Extension

The contract extension deal that was signed by LeBron James is worth $97.1 million. The said contract also includes a 15% trade kicker.

James' extension deal with the LA Lakers also puts him under the contract through the 2024 to 2025 season and involves a player option, per Sporting News.

James will first have around $44.5 million for the 2022-2023 season, $46.7 million for the 2023-2024 season, and $50.4 million in the 2024-2025 season. His extension deal will start in 2023.

The contract extension also makes LeBron James have more earnings than other top-earning NBA players, including Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard.

With his extension deal, LeBron James is expected to earn $528.99 million. This amount is $30 million more than Durant's earnings amounting to $498.69 million.

The earnings James will collect from his extension deal will be the second highest among his previous Lakers contract. From 2018 to 2021, James earned around $153 million, while his earnings from 2021 to 2023 are around $85 million.

James is only allowed to sign for a two-year extension because he will be 38 or older when his current deal expires. This rule in the league is stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement.

LeBron James and LA Lakers

LeBron James started to play with the LA Lakers in 2018.

Over the past few months, James has teased about wanting to play with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. In an episode of HBO's "The Shop" in April, James shared that he wants to play with Stephen Curry "in today's game."

"I love everything about that guy. Lethal. When he gets out of his car you'd better guard him right from the moment he pulls up to the arena. As soon as he gets out of his car, you better guard his a--. You might want to guard him when he gets out of bed. I swear to God," James said in the interview.

However, his new deal will not make that possible.

In the light of the "All-Star Break," James said he would also like to play with his son, Bronny, when he made it to the professional level. He also mentioned the possibility of rejoining the Cavaliers.

However, ex-Laker's champion, Robert Horry, told Fox News that James would stay with the Lakers.

"He got the Hollywood in him now. He got the movies. He got so many contacts out here. He can't do that if he goes to Cleveland or Miami or anywhere else... He's a Laker for the rest of his ... 13 more years he's going to play." Horry noted.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Stephen A. reacts to LeBron James agreeing to a 2-year/$97.1M extension with the Lakers | NBA Today - From ESPN