Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James has officially exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, opting in ahead of free agency and removing himself for the open market before Monday’s festivities get going starting at 6 p.m. ET.
LeBron’s decision, however, may be less about staying in Los Angeles and more about keeping the door open for a potential exit depending on how things develop in the next few days and weeks.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James remains “uncertain about the Lakers roster moving forward” and is watching closely to see whether the team makes the right moves to keep him in purple and gold.