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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, his longtime agent, Kutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday (June 29).
James, 40, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, is focused on winning his fifth NBA championship next season and potentially beyond with the Lakers and will be monitoring the team's moves and whether the franchise positions itself to be a title-contender, according to Paul.
"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," he said. "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 [controlling owner] Jeanie [Buss] and [general manager] 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."
James, who has a no-trade clause, publicly called out the Lakers' front office after the team was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first-round of the Western Conference Playoffs, which included referencing his former teammate and veteran big man Anthony Davis being traded to the Dallas Mavericks for superstar guard Luka Dončić.
“No comment,” James said when asked about the Lakers being forced to play small lineups. “My guy AD said what he needed, and then he was gone the following week.”
James was undecided on his NBA future after his team was eliminated from the playoffs.
"I don't know," James said when asked how long he planned to continue playing via ESPN. "I don't have an answer to that. Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play.
"I don't know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we'll see."
James took a similar approach entering last offseason before ultimately deciding to return for his 22nd season last year.
"It's a business," James said when asked how the Lakers could improve for next season after being eliminated in five games via ESPN. "So you don't know what the roster will look like next year besides the guys that [are] locked into contracts. S---, I got a lot to think about myself. So I don't know what the roster will look like. I don't know where I stand right now."
James then clarified that he was referring to his contract, not teasing the idea of playing for another team.
"Just continuing to play, I don't know where I'm at," James said via ESPN. "That's what that is. Not coming back to play here. Just playing, period."
The Akron native averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 assists during his 22nd season. James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA regular season MVP.