The Los Angeles Lakers have officially re-signed LeBron James.
The team made the announcement on Saturday but did not release the terms of the deal. According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, it is a two-year contract worth $101.355 million.
Coming in at almost $3 million less than his $104-million max, the new contract allows the Lakers to avoid the NBA’s second tax apron and the various restrictions that come with it.
James, who will turn 40 in December, averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season — as the oldest active player in the league.
Not only is James the all-time leader in points (40,474), but he’s fourth in assists (11,009), sixth in games played (1,492) and eighth in both three-pointers made (2,410) and steals (2,275).
His 20 All-Star selections is a record, as are his 20 appearances on the All-NBA team. He holds the records for being both the youngest player, and oldest player, to make an All-NBA squad.
James became the youngest to make All-NBA when he was voted onto the team for the 2004-05 season. This past season, he became the first player to be age 39 or older in what became an All-NBA campaign.
“No one plays the game like LeBron James, and his commitment to continuous performance and long-term sustained excellence is unmatched,” said Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka in a statement released by the team.
“LeBron is one of the most dynamic and competitive players to ever take the NBA court and we’re grateful to have his leadership as he returns for a seventh season with the Lakers. Alongside fellow team captain Anthony Davis, LeBron and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will together lead a championship-caliber team that will play with great pride every time they take the floor. Entering his 22nd season of NBA basketball, LeBron continues to remind us that no obstacle is too big and no goal is out of reach. We’re so thankful that the history-making story of LeBron James will continue to be written in front of Lakers fans throughout the world.”
