LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has decided to exercise his $52.6 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 NBA season, according to reports on June 29. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and four-time Finals MVP, who will turn 41 this December, is preparing for what would be a record-breaking 23rd season in the league, with hopes of winning his fifth NBA championship.

James will closely follow the Lakers’ offseason roster moves as the team balances immediate competitiveness with future rebuilding efforts. “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” a source told ESPN. “LeBron wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers are supportive of that.”

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has yet to confirm whether the 2025-26 season will be his last. If he continues, he would surpass Vince Carter for the most career NBA seasons and is just 50 games shy of breaking Robert Parish’s record of 1,611 regular-season games played.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” his agent, Rich Paul, said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future and values a realistic chance to win it all.”

James recently posted a video showing his first workout following a left knee injury suffered during the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. Over his career, he averages 27 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.5 rebounds.

James’s illustrious career includes 21 NBA All-Star selections and four NBA titles with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and Lakers (2020).

Elsewhere in the NBA, James Harden declined his player option and signed a two-year, $81.5 million deal to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN. The 11-time All-Star guard, who turned 36 this year, averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds last season.

In other news, the Portland Trail Blazers have bought out the final year of center Deandre Ayton’s contract, making him a free agent. Ayton, 26, is owed $35 million for the upcoming season under a deal he signed with the Phoenix Suns. Portland plans to rely on recent draft picks Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, along with veteran Robert Williams III.

Meanwhile, Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office over alleged gambling on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season. Beasley’s attorney emphasized that no charges have been filed and that Beasley is presumed innocent. The investigation has put his potential new contract negotiations with the Pistons on hold.