LeBron James exercises Lakers player option for 2025-26 season

Paul Pierce weighs in on whether Rob Pelinka can build a championship roster around Luka Dončić and LeBron James.

LeBron James exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday as he appears to be in the final stages of his lengthy NBA career.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN about James’ decision. The player option is reportedly worth $52.6 million and it will be his eighth season in Los Angeles.

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Lakers forward LeBron James during the Utah Jazz game on Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

James played 70 games during the 2024-25 season. It was the second straight year he played at least 70 games. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game as the Lakers put together one of the more intriguing seasons in recent memory.

Los Angeles made the shrewd trade for Luka Doncic that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic and James will now have more time to team up and make a play for an NBA championship together at least one more time. The Lakers were 50-32 last season, finishing third in the Western Conference, but were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Paul told ESPN that James wants to win and will be watching the Lakers' moves closely to build a contending roster.

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," he said. "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.

Lakers forward LeBron James