The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the most stunning trades in recent NBA history by acquiring Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline this past season. In doing so, they began shifting away from LeBron James as their centerpiece star.

LeBron James is set to return to the LA Lakers for his 23rd NBA season. The league's all-time leading scorer celebrates his 41st birthday in December.

Over his NBA career, LeBron has earned more than $450 million in salary alone, including record annual salaries that peaked at over $47 million with the Lakers. He first signed a rookie deal worth about $13 million over three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, before signing a $60 million extension in 2006.