LeBron James opts in to $52.6 million option with Lakers: Report
LeBron James is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
On Sunday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that James is picking up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
James' announcement came after the Lakers' first season with Luka Dončić ended in disappointment despite being favorites to make it far in the West. The Lakers acquired Dončić from the Mavericks in a three-team trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas.
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After February's seismic trade, the Lakers finished the season with a 50-32 record and secured the third seed.
Before the season began, James and the Lakers made headlines by hiring J.J. Redick 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, who succeeded Darvin Ham, was hired as the "Mind The Game" podcast he co-hosts with James rose to popularity. He would step away from the podcast — to be replaced by Steve Nash — and his role as an analyst on ESPN when he took the job with the Lakers.
Just days later, the Lakers drew more attention when they selected Bronny James with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite his lone year at USC being underwhelming after suffering a cardiac arrest during preseason, Bronny was drafted — making him and LeBron the first father-son duo in the NBA.
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Bronny appeared in 27 games for the Lakers and averaged 2.3 points per game. He also played 11 games for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League and averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018 after stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. He delivered two titles to Miami in 2012 and 2013. James then returned to Cleveland and won the Cavs their first championship in 2016.
Two years after arriving in Los Angeles, James and Davis led the Lakers to a championship in the 2020 NBA Bubble.
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.
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