LeBron James’ $115m contract extension links him with Bronny James’ NBA Draft year

LeBron James has the NBA in meltdown over the collision course his new $115 million contract puts him on with son Bronny James.

LeBron James and his children.

LeBron James spoke to it years ago — and now his grand plan of playing alongside eldest son Bronny in the NBA is falling into place.

James on Thursday confirmed a new $115 million contract extension with the Lakers, taking him through to the end of the 2022-23 season.

The two-year max extension outs him on the path to playing with whichever team may draft Bronny at the 2023 NBA Draft.

Bronny, who has been touted as an even better prospect than his father by Magic Johnson, completes high school in 2023.

The rules around Draft eligibility, which requires players to spend their first year out of high school either in college or in professional leagues around the world, are expected to be reviewed in coming years — opening the door for James to live out his “once in a lifetime” goal of playing with his offspring.

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While it is pure speculation at this point, all signs point to James joining whichever team picks up LeBron James Jr in the draft.

LeBron James and Bronny in the gym. Photo: Instagram.

After being asked what the greatest achievement of his life was, James explained in 2018 it hadn’t yet happened.

“You want to ask me what is the greatest achievement of my life? James said.

“If I’m on the same court as my son in the NBA. That would be number one in my lifetime as an NBA player.

“I’ve thought about it because my son is about to be 14, and he might be able to get in there a little earlier.”

It has already whipped the league into a frenzy.

LeBron James‘ contract runs through 2023 -- when his son, Bronny, graduates high school and could have option to enter the NBA Draft if the league and NBPA change the high school-to-pro rule. https://t.co/6bcMLgYTVV

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2020

LeBron is lining up that contract so he can be a free agent and end his career with whoever drafts Bronny isnt he. The amount of tanking + tampering about to go down in 2023 will never be topped. No doubt in my mind Rich Paul will run out of the tunnel as a special guest referee.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 2, 2020

The new extension will also see James career earnings, not including his mega endorsement deals, to more than $587 million ($USD435m), according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

James helped bring the Lakers their first NBA title since 2009-10 last season with a win over the Heat in the Orlando bubble, receiving Finals MVP honours in the process.

James’ extension comes as fellow Lakers superstar Anthony Davis mulls his contract options. The free agent is widely expected to re-sign with Los Angeles, but the number of years has always been the question.

Now Davis at least knows how long James will be there, The New York Post reports.

James, who will make $US39 million this season, became the fourth player in NBA history to win at least one championship with three different teams. And at 35 years and 287 days old, James is the second-oldest player in league history to be named Finals MVP.

LeBron James Jr., LeBron James #23, Zhuri James and Bryce Maximus James in 2018. Photo: Getty.

In June 2018, James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent before signing with the Lakers the following month. But James suffered a groin injury, the first major injury of his career, around Christmas and missed a career-high 17 consecutive games. The Lakers fell out of playoff contention without him.

With head coach Frank Vogel and Davis joining James in the 2019 off-season, the Lakers jumped out to a 17-2 record and dominated throughout the season.