LeBron James apparently consented to a reportedly slightly discounted two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that will prevent the team from achieving the most expensive elite of the NBA extravagance taxes.
As first reported by ESPN, which cited anonymous sources, James signed a new deal Saturday that was worth$ 101.355 million, which was around$ 2.7 million less than he was entitled to receive under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. This is the first day James has accepted less than the maximum amount of time to perform, according to ESPN.
Thanks to James ‘ economic sacrifice—relative couch- cushion change for the 20- time NBA All- Star—the Lakers may be under the$ 188.931 next apron, a disciplinary threshold that debuts for the 2024- 25 season. Teams that spend more than this amount of money, which is equivalent to$ 17.5 million above the typical luxury tax, will be subject to a number of disciplinary measures, including the elimination of mid-level exceptions and several limitations on how they can organize future trades.

The 39- yr- old’s beneficence may, but, be kept in context.
James is the 5th- highest- paid performer of all time, according to a Sportico analysis, with prices- adjusted total revenue of$ 1.7 billion. Last season, James made$ 126 million between his NBA income and support collection, which includes a life cope with Nike that pays$ 30 million yearly.
James ‘ agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports revealed to ESPN last week that his client would be willing to accept a reduced income if the Lakers could signal an “impact person” for the$ 2.9 million midlevel exclusion. Yet, the Lakers were unable to produce good on that effort, failing to get its two primary targets—former Warriors watch Klay Thompson, who was traded to Dallas, and former Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozen, who was traded to Sacramento.
However, James ‘ brother, Bronny James, who the Dodgers took with the No. 55 get in last year’s NBA Draft, struggled in his training album, scoring only four points on 2- for- 9 shooting against the Kings in the California Classic. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported last week that Bronny James, though expected to get relegated to the G League next season, inked a four- season,$ 7.9 million cope with the Lakers.