LeBron James will play a record-setting 23rd NBA season after exercising his $53 million player option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2025-26. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the decision, emphasizing James’ desire to compete for a fifth championship while also understanding the team’s long-term plans.
At 40, James continues to defy age, holding the NBA’s all-time scoring record with 42,184 points and just 50 games shy of surpassing Robert Parish’s record for most regular-season appearances. He joined the Lakers in 2018 and helped deliver a title in 2020.
Drafted in 2003, James has also won championships with Miami and Cleveland. In 2024, he made history by sharing the court with his son Bronny, becoming the NBA’s first father-son duo to play together.
