LeBron James is staying in Los Angeles for at least one more season.
The Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Sunday.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul, James’ agent, 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.”
James signed a two-year extension with Los Angeles in 2024 that included the player option for the 2025-26 campaign. The 21-time All-Star averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last year.
The extension came a few months after the Lakers drafted James’ son, Bronny James, with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Lakers acquired Luke Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February, but were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Paul told ESPN that James, 40, wants to make “every season count” from the upcoming one and beyond.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” the agent said. “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.”