Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN on Sunday that LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul told ESPN: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. 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.”

James’ decision comes after the Lakers’ first season with Luka Dončić ended in disappointment; the Lakers acquired Dončić from the Mavericks in a three-team trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. Los Angeles finished the season with a 50-32 record — the third seed in the West.

James and the Lakers also made headlines this season after hiring J.J. Redick to succeed Darvin Ham as their head coach, despite no coaching experience at a senior level. The former NBA guard’s only coaching experience was as a volunteer for his son’s fourth-grade team in Brooklyn. Redick also had previously co-hosted the “Mind The Game” podcast with James.

LeBron, 40, joined the Lakers in 2018 after playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, where he helped the Heat win two NBA titles in 2012/2013. James then returned to Cleveland to help the Cavs earn their first championship in 2016. Two years after arriving in Los Angeles, the Lakers earned the championship in 2020.

James signed a two-year, $103.3 million extension with the Lakers in 2024. The deal included a player option for the 2025-26 season. In his 22nd season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

The 2025-26 season will mark James’ eighth in Los Angeles, and a record-setting 23rd consecutive season as an active player in the NBA.  He is also just 50 games away from breaking Robert Parish’s record for most career regular-season games.

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