LeBron James, the veteran basketball player, is prepared to exercise his $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, a move that will solidify his place in history as the first player to compete in an unprecedented 23rd NBA season. This disclosure comes from a source familiar with the decision-making process.
Neither James nor the Lakers has made an official announcement regarding this development. The early reports of James’ decision appeared on sports news outlets such as ESPN and The Athletic. James’ commitment to another season became increasingly clear after his recent declaration to the Associated Press that he anticipates being fit for training camp following a knee injury.
James, who now holds the distinction of being the NBA’s oldest active player, had until Sunday afternoon to make his decision about the option. With this choice, his career earnings from on-court performance will approach a staggering $580 million.
He will be playing his first full season alongside Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers from Dallas in February. Despite being the No. 3 seed in a highly competitive Western Conference, the Lakers were unable to progress beyond the first round of the playoffs, succumbing to Minnesota.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the milestones that James is likely to reach in his 23rd season. He will turn 41 in December and has earned All-NBA honors in 21 of his 22 seasons. His career average stands at 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Furthermore, he is only 49 regular-season games shy of surpassing Robert Parish’s record of 1,611, the highest in NBA history.
As we look towards the upcoming NBA season, LeBron James’ legacy continues to evolve, and the basketball world watches as this veteran player prepares to break new ground. It underlines the importance of longevity in the sport and raises important questions about the future of players’ careers in the NBA.
