LeBron James wins rings and gold medals and MVP trophies like Michael Jordan. Now he finally gets paid like Michael Jordan.
King James became the highest paid player in the NBA for the first time in his career after signing a new deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The agreement sees him getting $100 million over three seasons with the third coming as an option year for the player.
“My motivation,” James recently told Sports Illustrated, “is this ghost I’m chasing. The ghost played in Chicago.”
The Jordanesque contract follows James putting the Cavaliers on his back in willing Cleveland an NBA title by leading the team back from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to win the Finals. The championship came as Cleveland’s first in major team sports in more than a half century.
“I just want to let y’all know, man, I’m re-signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, man, my hometown team,” the 31-year-old entering his 14th season announced on social media. “I can’t be more excited than this opportunity once again, man, to defend our crown, defend our title. We all know last year as a magical, inspiring — all the words you can come up with, man — it was an unbelievable season. I just can’t wait to get the group back together — the team, the franchise, more importantly, get everybody together, the fans. Without you guys, without your passion and commitment, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did this past season.
“I’m ecstatic,” James continued. “I can’t wait to see my guys. I can’t wait to get back out there in the wine and gold and just get the band back together. And lastly — You know what I’m saying? — let’s get J.R. (Smith) done. It’s that time.”