Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 08:02 IST
LeBron will exercise his $52.6 million option with the Lakers, making him the first NBA player to play 23 seasons. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last year.
LA Lakers’ LeBron James (AP Photo)
Reports suggest that LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2025-26, further confirming that he will become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season.
ESPN and The Athletic were among those to first report the decision.
James and the Lakers were eliminated by Minnesota in five games in the first round, with James uncertain about his future status after being hurt in a collision with the Timberwolves’ Donte DiVincenzo.
James was injured after Minnesota guard Donte DiVincenzo collided with his knee while setting a moving screen with 8:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. James immediately left the game and had his knee examined before returning to the contest to play.
James, 40, averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 70 games in 2024-25 to rank in the top 22 in each category.
Two months later, LeBron looked like a player determined to be ready for pre-season training camp in October, although James still did not comment on his plans for the 2025-26 season.
“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 in late September,” James said in that interview.
That was an obvious sign he planned on returning for a 23rd year, one in which he’ll break a tie with Vince Carter for the longest NBA career by a player.
This coming season will be his first full year with Luka Doncic as a teammate, after his trade to the Lakers from Dallas in February.
James is a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP, having won titles with Miami in 2012 and 2013, Cleveland in 2016, and the Lakers in 2020.
The 21-time All-Star and three-time Olympic champion is also the league’s all-time scoring leader.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!First Published:News sports LeBron James Signs $52.6M Player Option With LA Lakers; Set To Play Record 23rd NBA Season