LeBron James says former Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks 'worthy' of $80 million contract

LeBron James has no issues with former Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks' new big contract.

"I think in his case, he was worthy of the contract he got," the Los Angeles Lakers star told reporters on Wednesday. "He's put in the work since he came out of Oregon, and that's what Houston found value in and he's here. So no, I think it has nothing to do with that."

Brooks and James will match up for the first time this season when the Rockets host the Lakers on Wednesday. Brooks spoke on Tuesday and said he was "ready to lock him up."

"Just there to make him tired, make him get into that fourth quarter early," he said.

Brooks, who signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Rockets in the offseason, created all sorts of headlines last season when the Grizzlies faced the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, when he called James "old" after the Grizzlies' Game 2 win.

"I don't care, he's old," Brooks said after the game. "I poke bears. I don't respect no one until they come and give me 40 (points)."

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The Lakers ultimately won the series in six games. Brooks said after the season that he didn't regret making the comments.

Brooks is averaging 16.3 points per game this season. The Rockets are 3-3.

The first time he will play against the Grizzlies is Nov. 22 in Houston.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: LeBron James: Ex-Memphis Grizzlies Dillon Brooks 'worthy' of $80M deal