LeBron James to become the highest ***** in NBA history only if he….

LeBron James to become highest earner in NBA history as Los Angeles Lakers plan contract
LeBron James is set to become the highest earner in NBA history if he signs an extension worth $97.1million (£80m) with the Los Angeles Lakers, which he became eligible to receive on August 4.

LeBron James will become the highest earner in NBA history if he signs a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, as his career earnings will reach $532million (£441m).

The latest twists in a wild NBA offseason have come in the form of players becoming eligible for contract extensions ahead of possible free agency in 2023. The biggest name in the potential pond is James, and the Lakers star is faced with the decision to either extend with the iconic franchise or become the most-sought after player in free agency next summer.

Nearly half the NBA’s teams are projected to have cap space to afford the four-time MVP, and are fans are waiting to see what move the Lakers will make. On Thursday, James became eligible to ink a two-year extension worth $97.1m (£80.8m).

LeBron James to become the highest ***** in NBA history only if he….

Even if the 37-year-old signs the extension, the Lakers are set to have nearly $23m (£19m) in cap space, a number which could increase if Taylor Horton-Tucker declines his player option or he is traded. The space is significant but not quite enough to secure the services of a max-level free agent, which is largely why the franchise are desperate to trade Russell Westbrook for Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving.

The Lakers are also willing to trade a future first-round pick if it means acquiring the services of Irving. They would acquire his Bird rights in a trade, allowing them to exceed the cap to sign the free agent guard next offseason.
Should the Lakers fail to find a favourable deal involving Westbrook and his monster $47.1m (£39m) contact, they could use their cap space to add players around James and fellow superstar Anthony Davis. This is what the team did in 2019 when they added the likes of Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and Alex Caruso before winning the championship.