LeBron James has officially decided to exercise his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 NBA season, marking the historic milestone of becoming the first player in NBA history to enter a 23rd season. This announcement, which was confirmed by a source familiar with the decision but who requested anonymity, aligns with James' earlier comments about his readiness to return for another year.
Major sports outlets, including ESPN and The Athletic, were among the first to report on this significant decision. LeBron James, who recently resumed on-court workouts after recovering from a knee ligament sprain sustained during the Lakers’ playoff exit, expressed optimism about being ready for training camp in late September. This positive outlook served as a clear indication of his intention to continue playing.
In anticipation of the upcoming season, James stated, “I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100% as possible when training camp begins.” His commitment to returning is evident, especially as he holds the title of the NBA's oldest current player and prepares to surpass Vince Carter for the longest career in NBA history.
James was required to make his decision by Sunday afternoon, and he ultimately chose to proceed with the option, bringing his career on-court earnings to approximately $580 million. The upcoming season will also be significant for James as it marks his first full year playing alongside superstar Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in February. Despite entering the postseason as the No. 3 seed in a competitive Western Conference, the Lakers faced an early exit in Round 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As James approaches his 41st birthday in December, he continues to be a formidable presence in the league. He has been selected as an All-NBA player in 21 of his 22 seasons, including a second-round nod in the most recent season. This is a record that no other player has matched, with the next closest being 15 All-NBA selections. Last season, James maintained impressive averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
Additionally, as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, he has appeared in a total of 1,562 regular-season games, positioning himself just 49 games shy of Robert Parish's record of 1,611—widely recognized as the most in league history. If James remains healthy, he is expected to surpass this landmark during the coming season.
