LeBron picks up $52.6M option, still gauging Lakers' future

LeBron James exercised his $52.6-million player option and will return for a record-breaking 23rd NBA season in 2025-26, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania.

However, Paul acknowledged that James, in tandem with the organization, could explore a possible exit from the Los Angeles Lakers if he doesn't consider a title a realistic target for the squad next season.

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Paul told Charania. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

"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."

The 2025-26 campaign will be James' first full year alongside five-time All-NBAer Luka Doncic, whom the Lakers stunningly acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in February. The move purportedly set the table for the Lakers' future after James, though the star duo is certainly capable of bringing postseason success to L.A. with the right supporting cast.

James, 40, will enter the campaign second on the league's all-time regular-season games played list with 1,562. Boston Celtics icon Robert Parish holds the record with 1,611, meaning James would need to appear in 50 games next season to exceed that mark.

On his first appearance, he will break a tie with Vince Carter for the most NBA seasons by one player.

The four-time MVP averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal in 70 regular-season games in 2024-25 and was named to the All-NBA second team - his 21st consecutive All-NBA honor.

James reportedly intended to speak with Lakers brass about roster improvements before officially exercising his option. The franchise's shocking acquisition of Doncic still cost them 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, an interior presence the club missed during its first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said following the series-deciding Game 5 defeat that the team would look to add a center in the offseason. L.A. rescinded a deadline-day move for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams after the third-year big man failed his physical.

However, Los Angeles could be buoyed in a search for reinforcements thanks to a pending ownership change. Billionaire Mark Walter, the controlling owner of baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, reportedly agreed to purchase the Buss family's majority stake in the historic NBA franchise earlier in June at a record $10-billion valuation. Jeanie Buss will reportedly continue in her role as governor of the team after the sale.