LeBron James and Savannah James at the premiere of "Shooting Stars" held on May 31, 2023
LeBron and Savannah James.
LeBron James is ready for another NBA season
The Lakers superstar has chose to re-up his $52.6 million player option and will play in an NBA-record 23rd season
James was overheard speaking about the decision (and his wife Savannah's feelings) in a clip released online
The Los Angeles Lakers star announced that he will return for a 23rd season — and the decision was not something he nor his wife Savannah took lightly.
The future Hall of Famer was overheard discussing his next steps in the NBA in a recording making the rounds online over the weekend.
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“Savannah wants me to f---ing retire in the next year or so,” James, 40, is heard saying to his dining partners, which included longtime friend and Miami Heat star Kevin Love.
James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the coming season, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN on Sunday, June 29.
Paul told the outlet that LeBron "knows the Lakers are building for the future ... but he values a realistic chance of winning it all."
Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs
Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs
Earlier this month, the Lakers guard shared that he was mulling his legacy in the league, while he has been rehabbing a knee sprain that he sustained during the playoffs.
“I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100% as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James told The Associated Press, adding that he is feeling "good."
During his eventful 22nd season, the basketball icon became the first in the NBA to play with his son on the same team, when Bronny James was signed by the Lakers last summer.
Then, a blockbuster trade in February dealt superstar Luka Dončić to the team, and saw the departure of James’ teammate and friend, Anthony Davis.
The Lakers eventually lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in April.