Lebron James has reached a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that makes him the highest-paid NBA player in history. The Celtics announce plans to honor Bill Russell, while the Lakers announce a date for the Pau Gasol jersey retirement ceremony.
Lebron highest player in NBA history with 2-year Lakers deal
Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have reached a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension that includes a player option for the 2024-25 season.
The extension also includes a 15% trade kicker for a total of $532 million in career guaranteed money. James is entering the final season of his current contract, worth $44.5 million, ESPN reported.
The deal makes James the highest-earning player in NBA history, surpassing Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durrant.
James, 37, will be 40 years old when he reaches the 2024-25 season and will have a player option for the final year of that deal, CBSSports reported.
The extension eliminates concerns that James could enter free agency next summer; the four-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star to remain a Laker for as long as he chooses.
Because James agreed on an extension – not a new deal – he will be ineligible for a no-trade clause.
Celtics announce plans to honor Bill Russell
The Boston Celtics revealed on Wednesday how they plan to honor basketball legend Bill Russell, who passed away at the age of 88 on July 31. Boston announced that the first of two "Bill Russell attribute games" will be held on opening night as the Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers. The night will include a series of special activities and the unveiling of a Bill Russell tribute 2022-23 'City Edition' uniform, which will also be worn twelve times during the 2022-23 season NBC Sports reported. A second "Bill Russell tribute game" will be held on his birthday, February 12, when the Celtics host the Memphis grizzlies.
The NBA will also honor Russell during the 2022-23 season with every player wearing a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys and every NBA court including a Clover-shaped logo with Russell's No. 6. The league is also retiring Russell's No. 6 jersey.
Lakers announce date for Pau Gasol jersey retirement ceremony
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced a date for a jersey retirement ceremony honoring Pau Gasol, who played with the team from 2008-2014, including two NBA championships back to back in 2009 and 2010.
On March 7, 2023, the Lakers will host the Memphis Grizzlies and will retire Gasol's jersey and hang it in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena, Sports Illustrated reported.
Gasol was selected as the third overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, and his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he became the 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, the first non-American player to have won that award. In addition, Gasol was a six-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA team selection.