Leaked: LeBron James once claimed to be a "two-year championship player," boldly stating he deserved $500 million contracts with the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers.

Over his 23-year NBA tenure, LeBron James has accumulated more than $581 million in salary income. However, even with career earnings exceeding half a billion dollars, James believes he has been "underappreciated"—a sentiment dating back to his 2010 move to the Miami Heat.

In conversations with Anthony Davis, Vander Blue, and some team staff, he mentioned his wish for the NBA to eliminate the salary cap like Major League Baseball (MLB), so teams wouldn’t struggle with player salary distribution, and he could receive compensation he feels truly matches his value.

According to Aaron Weitzman’s book "Hollywood Ending," James once said: "When I came to Miami at 25 (in 2010), I should have gotten a contract worth around $450 million over four years; then returning home to Cleveland, I deserved $500 million; and when I first joined the Lakers, I should have received another $500 million... because my worth goes beyond basketball."

He added, "For me, it’s different. Some players’ value is only on the court, but I bring a comprehensive impact. Every city and team I’ve played for has won a championship—we all have."

James has described himself as a "two-year championship player." In 2010, he faced criticism for leaving the Cavaliers to join the Heat in pursuit of titles. He won two championships alongside Wade and Bosh in Miami, then returned to Cleveland and led the team to its first and only NBA championship in 2016.

In 2018, James left his hometown team for the second time, signing with the Lakers. Although the Lakers missed the playoffs his first season, the team acquired Davis via trade and won the championship in the 2020 "Orlando Bubble" season.

Even though everyone on the court knew his championship record, James emphasized that he wins titles in the "second season" with each city. He said, "Give me two years, I’m a ‘two-year championship player.’ Miami’s second season—championship; Cleveland’s second season—championship; Lakers’ second season—championship. Give me two years, and I’ll handle everything."

If anyone says James is "undervalued," there is some truth to it—but what he means isn’t that his salary is lower than other NBA players’ (since 2018, his annual salary has consistently ranked in the league’s top ten), but that his overall personal value far exceeds $581 million.

Beyond his on-court performance, he boosts ticket sales and merchandise revenue, and more importantly, reshapes team culture. However, even as a "king," and even if the NBA abolished the salary cap, the $500 million contracts he often mentions may remain just a wish—such sums would exceed what the league’s commercial value could support, even without a salary cap.