ASHLEY LANDIS AP Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has agreed a two-year extension deal with the team worth $97.1 million, according to ESPN on Wednesday.
His agent Rich Paul said that the contract includes an extension option for another year through the 2024 -- 25 season.
James, who had been entering the final season of his current deal worth US $44.5 million, turns 38 in December and is therefore limited to signing a two-year extension because he will be 38 or older when the deal ends.
The extension will make the four-times NBA champion and MVP the highest-earning player in NBA history with US $532 million in career guaranteed money, overtaking Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.
In February, James pushed back on speculation that he was going to move on from the underperforming Lakers, saying he intended to stay with the team for as long as he can play.
The Lakers missed the playoffs in 2022 despite James averaging 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He was limited to 56 games because of injuries.