The staggering numbers behind LeBron James’ NBA career have been revealed after he officially opted into his $52.6million player option for the upcoming season.
James was widely expected to make the move where he gains the huge payday and confirmed on Sunday that he would prolong his retirement by at least one year.
The Los Angeles Lakers star will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season, when he will be 41.
According to Spotrac, by signing the new deal, James has now earned a mouthwatering $581.3million since being drafted into the league back in 2003.
His first contract in the league – with the Cleveland Cavaliers – saw him earn $4million and, since then, his stock has only been rising.
The current $52.6million player option will be the biggest deal of James’ esteemed career and trumps the $48.7million salary that he earned in the previous season.
LeBron James officially opted into his $52.6million player option for the upcoming NBA season
The latest deal means James has earned a staggering $581.3million since joining the league
James opting in leaves the Lakers with under $6million to spend on free agents and other moves this offseason, per ESPN.
Klutch Sport CEO Rich Paul, James’ agent told the outlet that LeBron ‘knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.
‘We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.’
James has been with the Lakers since 2018, winning an NBA Championship in 2018. The team has inserted his good friend JJ Redick as Los Angeles’ head coach and drafted son Bronny James to the team last year.
James could retire at the end of this upcoming season, with a severe pay cut expected should he want to continue playing.
Rarely has a player over 40 garnered the kind of money James would like, with Tom Brady being an exception. If someone could replicate that, James appears to be in good shape to do so.
James has held a contract at the NBA’s maximum since 2014, with that figure likely coming to an end at the end of this season no matter what.
His first contract in the league – with the Cleveland Cavaliers – saw him earn $4million in 2004
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James may be trading out the hardwood for Hollywood after he retires from the NBA, as he has hinted at making the jump to acting.
James has previously hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ and was the star in the movie ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ – which flopped compared to its iconic predecessor.
A full-time career in Hollywood would no doubt be lucrative for James, with interest from studios an unknown.
‘If the scripts start to roll in and there’s an opportunity for me to do some acting and I have the time… I don’t mind looking at it and seeing if I can make it happen,’ James said to the Hollywood Reporter.
