LeBron James picks up $52.6M option, monitoring Lakers moves - ESPN

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

James, the NBA's career leading scorer, wants to compete for a championship next season and potentially beyond and will be closely monitoring the Lakers' moves and whether the team is positioning itself this offseason to field a title-contending roster.

«LeBron wants to compete for a championship,» Paul told ESPN. «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, 40, is entering a record-setting 23rd NBA season and remains uncertain about whether he has one campaign left or wants to play multiple more years.

James, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, is 50 games away from breaking Robert Parish's record for most career regular-season games. Next season he will break a tie with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history.

It remains to be seen if James will reach season No. 24 or beyond. James went out to dinner in New York City this past week with his wife, Savannah; Miami Heat big man Kevin Love and his wife, Kate; and other confidants, and one of the dinner guests posted a snippet of the night to Instagram where James