LeBron James, the superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, had already become the highest-earning player in NBA history when he signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the team in 2022.
On Wednesday, it was reported that LBJ has agreed to a new two-year, $104 million maximum contract with the Lakers, surpassing Michael Jordan in career on-court earnings. Despite Jordan’s reputation as arguably the greatest player in NBA history, LeBron has amassed significantly more wealth for several reasons.
While their careers overlapped for just one season, Jordan played in a different era than James, where salaries and earnings have risen substantially over time for NBA players and professional athletes in general.
Though LeBron may be considered by many as the greatest of all time (GOAT), it’s likely that another player in the future could eventually surpass his career earnings. For now, the 20-time All-Star continues to reign supreme.
Turning 40 this year, LeBron remains a focal point for the Lakers, alongside Anthony Davis, who is seen as the franchise’s future face since his acquisition via trade. The Lakers also selected Bronny James, LeBron’s son, with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Davis praised Bronny for forging his own path in the NBA rather than solely relying on his father’s legacy. He also expressed confidence that Bronny could make an early impact with the team.
