LeBron James’ Contract Breakdown: From High School To Over $500 Million In NBA Salaries

LeBron James is going to make $50 million in his final season on the books. That’s a long way from his rookie season when he made just over $4 million. The league has changed in terms of monetary value. James has changed throughout his career as well. The main constant is that he has been one of the best players in the NBA for all of his career.

The four-time MVP owns a unique contract breakdown. James’ contract featured a unique situation when he was signed and traded from the Cavaliers to the Heat. When he rejoined the Cavaliers, he often signed deals with opt-outs to give the team flexibility and himself the power to leave at any time. Now, he is collecting tons of money from the Lakers. All three teams feature a championship with him on the team during his tenure, but the increased amount of money from his rookie season to now is quite an interesting fact to read.

Let’s take a look at that now as we look at the contract breakdown for LeBron James.

2003-04 NBA Season – $4,018,290 Salary

Stats: 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

With the No. 1 overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James in the 2003 NBA Draft. He was the most hyped player out of a draft since the days of Michael Jordan. James scored 25 points in his NBA debut, setting a record for the most points scored by a prep-to-pro player in NBA history.

It was the third time in league history that a player averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists during his rookie season. James won the Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first Cavalier to accomplish that. The Cavaliers won 18 more games with James but missed the playoffs.

2004-05 NBA Season – $4,320,360 Salary

Stats: 27.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

James earned his first All-Star appearance during this season. He quickly rose toward greatness despite being a 20-year-old. James set a new single-game record for the Cavaliers by scoring 56 points against the Raptors. He also nearly averaged 30 points per game during the season.

The Cavaliers began the season 30-20 but only won 12 of their final 32 games. With their 42-40 overall record, the team missed out on the playoffs. With that said, everyone knew that James was going to start making some serious money soon.

2005-06 NBA Season – $4,621,800 Salary

Stats: 31.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG

In his third season, James won the All-Star Game MVP Award. He scored 29 points to lead the East to a win. James also played at an MVP level when he averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Many believe that James should have won the MVP Award instead of Steve Nash during this season.

For the first time since 1998, the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs. In his first postseason game, James recorded a triple-double in a win over the Wizards. He also made his first game-winning shot in the playoffs to help the Cavaliers win Game 5. Ultimately, the Cavaliers were bounced by the Pistons in the second round.

2006-07 NBA Season – $5,828,090 Salary

Stats: 27.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

In the final year of his rookie contract, James once again played like an All-Star. While some players believed that he had regressed, James was still a top player in the league that led the Cavaliers to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. That included leading the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals.

To make the Finals, James recorded 48 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in Game 5. That included scoring 29 of the team’s 30 final points. The Cavaliers were ousted by the Spurs in the Finals, where James struggled. He averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in the four-game sweep.

2007-08 NBA Season – $13,041,250 Salary

Stats: 30.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG

James signed a four-year, $60.3 million contract to remain with the Cavaliers. It was by this time that James was turning into a true MVP contender each season. James earned All-Star Game MVP for the second time in his career with 27 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. He also moved past Brad Daugherty as the all-time leading scorer this season.

James won the scoring title with his 30.0 points per game average. Despite individual accomplishments, the Cavaliers stumbled to the four seed. The team made a run to the second round of the playoffs and pushed the big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and the Boston Celtics to seven games. In the final game, James scored 45 points, but the Celtics prevailed.

2008-09 NBA Season – 14,410,581 Salary

Stats: 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG

For the first time in his career, James was truly the best player in the league. James won the MVP Award and was second in the Defensive Player of the Year Award voting. He also led the Cavaliers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The Cavaliers won a franchise record 66 games and were one game short of the NBA record for home wins.

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Pistons and Hawks to meet the Magic in the Conference Finals. James scored 49 points in a Game 1 loss but rebounded with the game-winning shot in Game 2. However, the Cavaliers lost the series in six games, which featured James walking off the court without shaking hands after he averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists for the series.

2009-10 NBA Season – $15,779,912 Salary

Stats: 29.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG

James could become a free agent after this season. There was speculation that James could leave the Cavaliers if the team fell short of a championship again. James led the Cavaliers to the best record in the league for the second year in a row. James won the MVP Award once again after averaging this impressive stat line.

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers defeated the Bulls in the first round and then took on the Celtics in the second round. The series went to six games, which featured a terrible performance in Game 5, where the franchise’s home crowd booed him off the court. In the final game, James scored 27 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and nine turnovers in the losing effort.

2010-11 NBA Season – $14,500,000 Salary

Stats: 26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

“The Decision” of the summer resulted in the Cavaliers signing and trading James to the Miami Heat. James joined a superteam of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. It was the first time the reigning MVP switched teams since Moses Malone in 1982. James was seen as a villain all season long, but the core rallied to make the NBA Finals.

The Heat defeated the Celtics in the second round, which included scoring the team’s last 10 points in the series-clinching Game 5 win. In the Finals, James averaged 17.8 points as the Dallas Mavericks upset the Heat to win the title. James was mocked across the world for the fact that he said the Heat would win up to seven championships before ever playing a game for Miami.

2011-12 NBA Season – $12,896,159 Salary

Stats: 27.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

With new motivation, James turned back into the best player in the league. The humbling experience brought out the MVP of the league. James shot 53% from the field in a year where he embraced the idea of being the NBA’s villain. James won the MVP Award for the third time after averaging 27.1 points per game.

The playoffs featured another stud effort from James. After the Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the second round, James helped the Heat overcome the loss of Bosh by scoring 40 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists in Game 3. In the Conference Finals, his best game was in Game 6, where he recorded 45 points and 15 rebounds to avoid elimination. In the Finals, the Heat made quick work of the Thunder, and James won Finals MVP after averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in five games.

2012-13 NBA Season – $17,545,000 Salary

Stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The Heat were back and ready to defend their title. Some would say this team was the best team of the four-year run. The Heat won 27 consecutive games at one point and ended the season with a franchise record for wins with 66. James was named the MVP for the fourth time in his career.

The playoffs featured another strong push from the Pacers. James consistently stepped up to help the team make the Finals against the Spurs. The Spurs held a 3-2 series lead and nearly won the series in Game 6. In the game, James recorded 16 fourth-quarter points to lead the comeback. Then, he tied the Finals record for points in a Game 7 victory with 37 points. James averaged 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.3 steals in the Finals.

2013-14 NBA Season – $19,067,500 Salary

Stats: 27.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

In his final season with the Heat, James had numerous great moments. James set the franchise record for points in a game with 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Heat struggled with injuries throughout the year, but James was the one constant. The Heat returned to the postseason and rode the momentum back to the NBA Finals for the fourth season.

James missed part of the first game due to leg cramps. In Game 2, the Heat won their lone game of the series thanks to 35 points from James. The Spurs won the next three games and won the series despite James averaging 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. At the end of the season, James opted out of his contract.

2014-15 NBA Season – $20,644,400 Salary

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

James returned to the Cavaliers to bring a title to the Cavaliers. For most of his career with the Cavaliers, he signed one-year deals with opt-outs to keep the financial flexibility. James signed a two-year deal worth $42.2 million. The decision for James to return was well received.

The Cavaliers immediately rose towards being a contender with the addition of Kevin Love paired alongside Kyrie Irving. James battled a left knee injury and lower back strains to play in a career-low 69 games. For the playoffs, he was back to full strength as James led the team to the NBA Finals. The Warriors took down the Cavaliers, but James was highly considered to win the Finals MVP Award after averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists.

2015-16 NBA Season – $22,970,500 Salary

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG

James opted out of his contract and resigned with the Cavaliers for a two-year deal worth $46.9 million. The season featured controversy. James was credited for being a prime reason for David Blatt being fired midseason. With that said, the Cavaliers won 57 games and owned the best record in the East.

For the sixth year in a row, James made it back to the NBA Finals. The Warriors took a 3-1 lead on the Cavaliers, but the team staved off elimination thanks to back-to-back 41-point games to set up a Game 7. In the final game, James posted a triple-double, including “the block” on Andre Iguodala in the final minutes. James was named Finals MVP after appearing with 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks, leading the Cavaliers in all five categories.

2016-17 NBA Season – $30,963,400 Salary

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

James backed out of his contract again and signed a three-year, $99.8 million contract with an opt-out in 2018. This was a strange year for the team and James. There was a conflict between both parties, and James called out the front office for the construction of the team. Even with the criticism, the Cavaliers finished the season with the second-best record in the east, which James set career highs in rebounds, assists, and turnovers.

The team returned to the NBA Finals, where the Cavaliers played the Warriors with a new look in Kevin Durant. James became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in the Finals by posting 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists. However, the Warriors won the series in five games.

2017-18 NBA Season – $33,654,150 Salary

Stats: 27.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The Cavaliers looked different when the team traded Kyrie Irving to the Celtics due to his request not to play with James anymore. It was a slow start to the season, but the Cavaliers turned it around in November by winning 18 of 19 games. That included a 57-point outburst from James against the Wizards. James won his third All-Star Game MVP Award with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

James set an NBA record with 867 straight games with double digits. The Cavaliers made it back to the NBA Finals for the fourth season. However, it ended in a sweep. James famously punched a locker after the team’s Game 1 loss, which featured a major miscue by JR Smith. James scored 51 points, but the injury hampered his performance the rest of the series. James averaged 24.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in the series.

2018-19 NBA Season – $35,654,150 Salary

Stats: 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG

James opted out of his contract and decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed a four-year, $153.3 million contract. In his first season, James was expected to turn the team into a contender, but he suffered injuries and had one of the least effective seasons in his career.

James made the All-NBA Third Team as the Lakers quickly fell out of playoff contention without him. It was the first time in 12 years that he did not make the First Team. In the offseason, the Lakers made a trade to acquire Anthony Davis, which set the team up for success next season.

2019-20 NBA Season – $37,436,858 Salary

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG

During the offseason, the Lakers brought in Davis and a new coach in Frank Vogel. The Lakers quickly became one of the best defensive teams in the league. James also took over the team’s point guard duties. James led the league in assists for the first time in his career. He also passed Kobe Bryant on the all-time leading scorer list.

The year featured the tragic death of Bryant. The Lakers rebounded by making the NBA Finals and a championship over his former team, the Heat. His best performance was Game 5, when he scored 50 points and 13 rebounds in a duel against Jimmy Butler. Despite the loss, James helped the Lakers put away the Heat in six games. James won his fourth Finals MVP Award by averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in the series.

2020-21 NBA Season – 39,219,566 Salary

Stats: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

During the season, James became the first player in league history to go 1,000 consecutive games with double-digit points. He also joined Kareem Adbul-Jabbar and Karl Malone as the only players with 35,000 career points. Despite individual success, the team struggled to find consistency. Davis was hurt throughout the year, while James missed 20 games due to injuries.

The Lakers qualified for the first round of the playoffs as the seven seed. The team took a 2-1 lead before Davis sustained a strained groin. The Lakers could not overcome the loss, and the team was defeated in the first round.

2021-22 NBA Season – $41,180,544 Salary

Stats: 30.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Last season was an utter failure. The Lakers traded away two of their best outside shooters for Russell Westbrook. The idea of James, Davis, and Westbrook was believed to be a trio that could lead the Lakers back to the NBA Finals. Many pegged this as the team that would come out of the Western Conference. Instead, the team stumbled to the 11th seed and missed the playoffs completely.

James recorded two 50-point games during the season and became the first Laker since Kobe Bryant to accomplish that. James was active in the scoring race but missed time due to injuries. He played in only 56 games and did not qualify for the scoring title. It was the first time he scored over 30 points since winning a scoring title, but the Lakers failed to produce as a team.

2022-23 NBA Season – $44,474,988 Salary

Stats: 26.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

This season, James has many individual accomplishments. He is chasing down the all-time scoring mark and should pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He passed Wilt Chamberlain for the second most 30-point games in NBA history. He also passed Magic Johnson on the all-time assists leaderboard.

As for the team’s success, the Lakers are outside of the play-in tournament. The team has flashes of playing well but is cap strung with the massive deals given to James, Davis, and Westbrook. The Lakers have been mentioned in several trade rumors. With James set to turn 38 years old, his window of opportunity for a fifth title is closing fast.

Future Contracts

2023-24 NBA Season – $46,900,000

2024-25 NBA Season – $50,652,000

Before the 2022-23 season, James signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers for $97.1 million. The contract made James the highest-paid athlete in NBA history. The contract moved him past Kevin Durant for the most career all-time earnings.

Career Earnings – $529,411,107

As mentioned, James signed a contract extension that put him past Kevin Durant for the most all-time earnings. James has consistently been a top player in the league for two decades. He is one of the few players to win a Finals MVP Award with three different franchises. When he retires, there will be zero doubt that he will receive 100% of the Hall of Fame votes.

At this stage in his career, he is making the most money he made compared to years past. While other players would regress, James has continued to play at a high level. With his name and brand, he sells tickets in Los Angeles. All in all, people will continue to fill the seats as long as he plays in the game.

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