Lakers' LeBron James opts into $52.6 million player option, postpones retirement

On Sunday, LeBron James made the most significant decision of his 2025 offseason. 

The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star forward opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, effectively postponing his retirement.

"Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote Sunday. (Rich) Paul adds: LeBron 'knows the Lakers are building for the future ... but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.'

With James getting up there in age and only securing one title in seven seasons with the Lakers, many believed the 21-time All-Star could walk away from the NBA after 22 phenomenal seasons. 

After all, James has already established himself as one of the most talented players of all time, having amassed numerous individual accolades since entering the league in 2003.

However, Los Angeles’ recent moves undoubtedly registered with the four-time NBA champion. 

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By acquiring Luka Doncic before the Feb. 6 trade deadline and selling the franchise to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter for $10 billion (the Dodgers have won two championships under Walter's leadership), the Lakers demonstrated their commitment to turning the corner following another underachieving campaign. 

While it will be challenging for Los Angeles to reach the NBA Finals with organizations like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves (who eliminated them in the first round) standing in its way, the franchise could help a title run materialize by surrounding James and Doncic with a playmaking center (despite not having as much financial flexibility with James opting in).

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game as an aging phenomenon, shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three-point land. 

The Lakers should be ecstatic that the former No. 1 overall pick will return for another season in Los Angeles.

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