LeBron James has agreed to a new two-year $104 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he will play for the team again next season, according to several US media on Wednesday.
James, who turns 40 in December, decided to leave the team last week, a decision that observers predicted would free up more cash for player acquisition.
The re-signing of the NBA legend was widely anticipated, especially after the Lakers selected his oldest son, Bronny James, in the recent draft.
James has long spoken of his desire to play in the NBA alongside his son.
ESPN and The Athletic said James’ new deal included a no-trade clause, meaning he cannot be traded to another club without his consent.
The four-time NBA champion, the league’s all-time leading points scorer, will be playing his 22nd season in 2024-2025.
He led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 2020, but has struggled to take the team back to the summit of the sport since then.
This year the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers subsequently appointed James’ podcast partner and television commentator J.J. Redick as
head coach last month following the dismissal of Darvin Ham.
