The Los Angeles Lakers concluded the 2024-25 regular season with a strong 50-32 record, securing the Pacific Division crown and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Despite that success, their playoff run was cut short by a first-round upset at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, dropping the series 4-1.
It marked the first time since 2005-06 and 2006-07 that the Lakers were eliminated in the opening round in back-to-back seasons, and the first time they bowed out as a top-three seed in franchise history.
On Tuesday, the franchise received a major boost as ESPN insider Shams Charania confirmed that James is "likely to opt-in" to his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
The Lakers have made several headlines this season, not the least of which includes the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić.
That deal, which paired two reigning All-NBA stars, set lofty expectations that ultimately went unfulfilled in the postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
At 40 years old and in his 22nd NBA season, James continued to defy Father Time. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, became the oldest player ever to receive regular-season MVP votes, and landed on the All-NBA team yet again.
Over a two-decade career, James has compiled four NBA championships (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020), four Finals MVPs, four regular-season MVPs, and status as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He’s been an All-Star 21 times, earned six All-Defensive honors, and owns three Olympic gold medals.
James opting in guarantees that both he and Dončić remain under contract, deferring unrestricted free agency until 2026 and preserving the Lakers’ core intact for one more championship push.