LeBron James has decided to exercise his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 NBA season, a move that confirms he will become the first player in the league’s history to participate in a 23rd season, according to a source familiar with his decision. The information was shared on Sunday on the condition of anonymity, as neither James nor the Lakers have made any official public announcements regarding the matter.
Reports from well-known sports networks initially broke the news of James’ forthcoming plans. The decision aligns with James’ recent activities, as he has resumed on-court training sessions after a recovery period following a knee ligament sprain sustained in the playoffs’ final game. Earlier this month, James had indicated his anticipated readiness for the upcoming training camp during a conversation, signaling his intent to return for yet another record-setting year in the NBA where he will surpass Vince Carter for the longest NBA career by a player.
“I have ample time to address not only my knee but also my overall physical condition to approach training at near full capacity,” James stated during a recent discussion.
Any lingering uncertainties about James—currently the oldest NBA active player—returning for at least an additional season have now been dispelled. The deadline for his option decision came Sunday afternoon, a move that increases his career on-court earnings approximately to $580 million.
The forthcoming season holds special significance for James as he teams up for a full season with Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade last February. However, despite entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in an exceptionally competitive Western Conference, the team faced elimination in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James, celebrating his 41st birthday this December, has maintained an enviable track record as an All-NBA selection in 21 of his 22 seasons, including this past season where he was honored with a second-round selection. No other player has achieved more than 15 All-NBA nods.
During the last season, James posted impressive averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. As the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he has participated in 1,562 regular-season games, trailing Robert Parish’s record of 1,611 games—the highest in the league’s documented history. Should he remain healthy, James is poised to eclipse this milestone in the forthcoming season.