LeBron James opts in with Los Angeles Lakers for next NBA season reports

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James is exercising his US$52.6 million (S$67 million) player option to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers next season, hoping to challenge for his fifth National Basketball Association (NBA) title, according to multiple reports on June 29.

ESPN and The Athletic reported James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player as well as four-time Finals MVP who turns 41 in December, will be watching the Lakers’ off-season roster moves as he prepares for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” James’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, has not said whether he sees the 2025-26 NBA season as possibly his last, or whether he plans to play longer.

He would surpass the mark he shares with Vince Carter for the most career NBA seasons and needs only 50 more contests to break the all-time NBA record for most regular-season games played – 1,611 set by Robert Parish from 1976 to 1997.

James this past week posted a social media video of his first workout since suffering a left knee injury in a play-off loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game for the Lakers last season. He has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.4 assists and 7.5 rebounds.

The forward’s legacy includes 21 NBA All-Star selections