On July 2nd, Beijing time, LeBron James' agent team officially announced that James had reached a four-year verbal agreement with the Lakers, with the amount of US$ 654.38+US$ 540 million, of which the fourth year was a player option, and the two sides will wait until July 6th, local time to formally sign the contract after the contract freeze period ends. The biggest suspense of the 20 18 offseason was announced. James ended his cooperation with his old club Cavaliers and moved to the west for the first time in his NBA career.

Why a four-year contract? Because according to the provisions of the labor agreement, James can only get a contract with a 5-year annual salary increase of 7.5% if he signs a contract with his former owner, the Cavaliers. James has played in the NBA for 15 years, and his maximum starting salary can reach 35% of the salary cap, which is $35.35 million. If he stays, he can get a five-year contract with a maximum salary of $205 million. James went to the Lakers because of the terms of the labor agreement. The biggest contract he got was a starting salary of $35.35 million, and his annual salary increased by 4.5% in four years, that is, $654.38+$54 million in four years. According to the 38-year-old rule of the labor agreement, this summer is the last chance for the 33-year-old James to get a five-year maximum salary contract. James gave up this opportunity and chose to join the Lakers.

The verbal agreement between James and the Lakers lasts for four years, and the fourth year is a player option, which means that James has the right to jump out of the contract and become a free agent again after three years of contract execution. If James had chosen to renew his contract with the Lakers, the Lakers would have obtained James' Byrd right and could renew his contract on the salary cap. If James is not satisfied with playing for the Lakers, he can also choose to leave, and the player option will give James more room to operate.