LeBron James, Lakers agree to extension — what’s next for L.A.?

LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension through the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent told ESPN and The Athletic.

The league-maximum deal includes a player option that would keep the second-leading scorer in NBA history with the Lakers past his 40th birthday in December 2024, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said Wednesday.

On Thursday’s “Undisputed,” Shannon Sharpe explained why he isn’t surprised that James re-signed with L.A.

“Everybody thought LeBron would sign the extension, they were just wondering when,” Sharpe said. “I’m not surprised that he signed it. LeBron came here of his own volition. [The Lakers] didn’t recruit LeBron. LeBron knocked on their door and said, ‘I’m coming.’ … I also believe that he [has] got assurances from Rob Pelinka and Jeanie [Buss] that they’re gonna do everything they possibly can to always make sure [that] this is a winning situation or try to put him in the best situation that they can.”

James is headed into the final year of his most recent deal with the Lakers, who signed the four-time NBA MVP and four-time league champion in July 2018. The new deal means the 18-time All-Star will make $46.7 million this season.

On the other side, Skip Bayless believes that James signing this extension indicates the exact opposite.

“All of a sudden, yesterday, out of the blue, LeBron’s deal is done? Really? That indicates zero leverage,” he said.

Barring injury, James is likely to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career scoring king this winter. James and the Lakers also still hope to be in contention for another title if James and Anthony Davis can return at full health after an injury-plagued 2021-22 ended without a playoff appearance.

James’ new deal syncs with Davis’ most recent contract extension with the Lakers, allowing both superstars to leave the Lakers or to negotiate new deals in 2024. James’ recommitment to the Lakers also silences persistent talk of his possible departure as a free agent or in a trade.

Now that James is locked in, should a second championship be in reach for L.A.?

Sharpe says only if the Lakers get another superstar.

James has missed significant portions of the season due to injury in three of his four years with the Lakers. He was largely healthy in the elongated 2019-20 season when the Lakers won the franchise’s 17th NBA title in the Florida bubble, and he has been every bit the dominant player of his prime when at full strength in the ensuing two years.

Although his contract status inspired plenty of offseason chatter, James seemed unlikely to leave the Lakers after spending the past four seasons of his 19-year career with the storied club. His family is settled in Los Angeles, where his son, Bronny, is a 17-year-old college basketball prospect playing at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.