LeBron James is expected to opt into his $54 million player option and return to the LA Lakers for the 2025-26 season, though his final decision is still pending ahead of the June 29 deadline.
LeBron James has to make a big decision regarding his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. The superstar holds a player option for the second year of his two-year, $104 million contract and has yet to announce his plans for the 2025-26 season.
LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James
MIN: 35.31
PTS: 24.49 (56.91%)
REB: 7.88
As: 8.04
ST: 1.07
BL: 0.64
TO: 3.64
GM: 75
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, James is likely to pick up the option and return to LA for at least one more year.
"I'm told he's likely to opt in," Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. "He's got a player option, about $54 million, $57 million. He's got a massive player option. That's likely. That's the plan. But, again, his option date is June 29th. So he still has about a month to figure that out.
Charania added that LeBron and the LA Lakers will have some "hard conversations" before making a final decision.
"Whether he plays one more season or several more, LeBron wants to be in a competitive environment," the NBA insider said.
LeBron is coming off another historic season, becoming the oldest player ever named to an All-NBA team. His Second Team selection followed a campaign in which he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists across 70 games.
His season ended in Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.
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