Basketball legend LeBron James has exercised his USD $52.6 million player option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025–26 season, making history as the first NBA player ever to compete in a 23rd season. The move, confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, cements his legacy and extends an illustrious career that continues to break records and redefine longevity in professional sports.
The forward had until Sunday afternoon to make his decision, and though neither James nor the Lakers have made a formal public announcement, multiple credible outlets — including ESPN and The Athletic — confirmed the choice. A source close to the matter spoke with the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
James, who suffered a knee ligament sprain during the Lakers’ final playoff game this past season, recently resumed on-court workouts and indicated he expects to be fully prepared for training camp in late September. “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,” he told the AP earlier this month.
This historic season will be LeBron James’s first full campaign alongside Luka Dončić, who was acquired by the Lakers in a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February. Despite high expectations, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves after securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
James, who turns 41 in December, continues to perform at an elite level. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this past season, earning his 21st All-NBA selection — more than any other player in league history. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has played in 1,562 regular-season games, just 49 shy of Robert Parish’s record of 1,611. If he remains healthy, James is poised to surpass that milestone during the upcoming season.
This latest contract pushes James’s career earnings on the court to an estimated USD $580 million, solidifying not only his legacy as a basketball great but also as one of the highest-earning athletes in history.
Fans and analysts alike now look ahead to the 2025–26 NBA season with anticipation, as James prepares to continue rewriting the record books.
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