The biggest question popping up in the minds of NBA fanatics these days is what LeBron James will decide this offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers star has the choice to opt out of the contract and become a free agent this summer. However, there are speculations that the former NBA champion will stay with the Lakers. One thing worth noticing about James’ NBA career is his stint playing basketball with different teams. The 39-year-old does not go beyond three or four years while signing his contracts. Even Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas noticed it while they were discussing Luka Doncic’s possibility of getting a super-max contract in their show, Nightcap.

When the duo was talking about James’ short-term contracts with a one-year player option, Sharpe commented, “After you get past that certain age, you can’t get that supermax contract.” However, it is not just that LeBron has the least chance now of getting a supermax contract due to his age. Sharpe explained that the Lakers star only signs three and four-year deals with teams, stating, “He did not want to be tied up. LeBron signs three-year deals because he wants to keep the pressure on you.”

It is ironic how LeBron keeps the teams that he signs with on-edges with the contract plus player option deals. However, the way the Lakers’ forward deals with the contracts cannot be applicable to all other bigwigs in the league. With such short-term deals, LeBron also receives less money. This year, the 39-year-old earned approximately $48 million from the Lakers, with a cap hit of about $51 million next year. However, since LeBron’s stardom cannot be ignored, Sharpe emphasized how James “makes off the court more than he does on the court.” Apparently, LeBron has other sources of income apart from his professional basketball career, which he has to earn.

LeBron James’ emoluments off-the-court

LeBron is legendary and one of the wealthiest athletes on Earth, with a net worth of $1 billion. One of the most important parts of his earnings off the court is his endorsements, with which he made $90 million in 2022. Some of the prime endorsements in which LeBron has appeared are AT&T, Walmart, Intel, Kia, and no more. But that’s not it! A brand that made Michael Jordan the pioneer of NBA advertising through their shoe line has also corroborated with LeBron.

Apparently, James seems to share the same fate as the legendary Jordan. After the four-time MVP left high school to play pro basketball, Nike signed a contract worth $93 million with him. It was a seven-year deal then. However, it proves to be extremely profitable for both parties. Therefore, Nike offered him a lifetime deal in December 2015, going for more than just the shoe endorsement. Per Maverick Carter, who was associated with James for a long time in business, the lifetime deal is worth more than $1 billion.

With such humongous figures in his bank account, LeBron does not worry about his on-court earnings right now. The 39-year-old plays basketball to live up to his passion and deliver championships. However, times are not going well for the champ. He will be soon past his prime. What do you all think he will do for next season—opt-in or free agent? Let us know in the comments, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video: