After a series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the entire basketball world has been waiting for an update on the future of LeBron James‘ career. The entire Western Conference hinges on his decision, but it won’t come easily for the 21x All-Star. At 40 years old, most players would have already walked away by now, but the latest intel suggests that he plans to stick around this summer and renegotiate a short two-way contract worth $105 million.
“He holds a $52.6 million player option for next season, and there could be some interest in simply picking it up. If he made clear this would be his last go-round, the Lakers could celebrate his every step on a season-long farewell tour, which would conveniently include an L.A.-based All-Star Game,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley. Maybe he’s not interested in putting that much finality to it, though. Not with his son, Bryce James, potentially becoming draft-eligible in 2026. LeBron lasting long enough to team up with Bronny James is incredible, but suiting up alongside both of his sons would certainly hold some appeal. Look for James to give himself a bit of wiggle room, then, by declining his option and re-signing with the Lakers on a two-year, roughly $105 million deal with a player option on the second season.”
LeBron has achieved an unprecedented level of longevity in the NBA. For the past 22 years, he’s been consistently dominating the league with averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 50.6% shooting. After making history with his son, Bronny, this past season, James has already achieved his highest ambitions, and he’s got nothing left to prove at any level of play.
For years, James has been hinting about his potential retirement, and fans have been bracing for the inevitable moment when LeBron finally walks away. For now, however, LeBron is still active in the NBA, and it’s looking increasingly likely that he has not yet played his final season.
With a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, James will most likely opt out and become a free agent so he can re-sign a new, two-year deal that will extend into 2027. This way, LeBron can keep control over his NBA future while not losing a dime of his hard-earned money.
Most importantly, James can aspire to play with Bryce James, the youngest of his sons. The young baller will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2026, and the Lakers can try to set it up so that he joins his brother and dad in Los Angeles. All he has to do is pick a college and put in the work so that he earns his spot, just like Bronny did on his way to the Lakers.
It would be a historic moment for the league and an amazing achievement for LeBron, who has been around long enough to be teammates with his sons in the NBA. If the Lakers can also win a championship in the process, it would be the ultimate send-off to a historic NBA career.
