LeBron James Signs Two-Year Extension With Lakers, Says They Can ‘Absolutely’ Repeat As Champs In 2021
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension.
According to the NBA superstar’s agent, Rich Paul, who confirmed with ESPN on Wednesday (December 2) the news, the extension will go through the 2022-23 season, which will give him 20 years in the NBA. James is now slated to make $39.2 million in 2020-21, $41,180,544 in 2021-22 and $44,474,988 in 2022-23.
James, who turns 36 later this month, averaged 25.3 points per game last season and led the NBA in assists with 10.2 per game. He was also named NBA Finals MVP after leading the Lakers past the Miami Heat in six games.
During an interview with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton’s podcast Road Trippin’, LeBron says he believes the Lakers can “absolutely” repeat as NBA champs.
"We can [repeat]. I mean, it's that simple," he said on the episode that aired Tuesday on Spectrum SportsNet. "We absolutely can. ... First of all, it all starts with health. You have to have some luck. You have to have health. If we can stay healthy."
Participating in his first extended interview since the Lakers left the bubble in Orlando, Florida, with a championship, James then mentioned a few of L.A.'s offseason acquisitions, including Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol, as a reason the Lakers’ shot at repeating is strong.
"We did get younger," said LeBron. "We have a 27-year-old point guard [in Schroder]. We got the 27-year-old Sixth Man of the Year award [winner] in Trezz. We got younger. We got Marc, who is a Defensive Player of the Year and his IQ, not only playing against him in the NBA, but also playing against him versus Spain with the national team."
Watch the full interview below.
