LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the veteran superstar’s decision via X on Sunday, June 29.
“Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN,” Charania reported. “Paul adds: LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future … but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.”
James will turn 41 in December. Despite his advancing years, he was still one of the most dominant players in the NBA last season. In 70 outings, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists on 51.3% shooting and 37.6% from 3-point range.
With Luka Doncic now on the roster, James can work his way through the season as the Lakers’ second option. He can embrace a more off-ball role and pick his spots for when he wants to drive or embrace contact. It’s a role he’d been hoping to assume while playing next to Anthony Davis, although it rarely worked out that way.
James will undoubtedly be hoping he and Doncic can help lead the Lakers toward a championship. The veteran forward has been steadfast in his push to add another ring to his resume before calling time on his career.
LeBron James Understands Lakers are Rebuilding
Rob Pelinka is rebuilding the Lakers roster on the fly. He will undoubtedly attempt to add a rim-running big man this summer, as he tries to appease Doncic.
With so many moving parts, James reportedly understands the difficulty the franchise faces in trying to win a championship. Rich Paul detailed how that played a part in the veteran superstar’s decision when speaking with Charania and ESPN.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Paul continued.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
With Doncic and James leading the charge, the Lakers have just as good a chance of contending as anyone else in the league.
LeBron Enters Eighth Year With Lakers
By opting into his player option for next season, James has now been a member of the Lakers longer than he’s been with any other team in his career.
“The Lakers have been operating under the belief for some time that LeBron James will activate his $52.6 million player option for next season … his league-record 23rd in a row as an active player,” Marc Stein wrote on June 29. “…Which would represent James’ longest continuous tenure with one team …. topping his seven-season run from 2003-04 through 2009-10 in his first stint as a Cavalier.”
James has won one championship with the Lakers. He will likely want to add another one if possible. Regardless of how things play out, though, Lakers fans should enjoy having an all-time great back with the team for another year. After all, this could be James’ last season in the NBA.
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