LeBron James is staying with the Los Angeles Lakers for another season, entering his 23rd year in the NBA.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and led the team to an NBA Championship in 2020. Now, as he looks ahead, he’s aiming to add another title to his legacy before hanging up his jersey.
According to ESPN, LeBron has exercised his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” his agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he understands that. But he values having a realistic chance to win it all. We’ve had an incredible eight-year partnership with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka], and the Lakers remain a vital part of his career.”
During the 2024–25 regular season, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds. The Lakers secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling 4–1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. James suffered an MCL sprain during the final game of the series.