LeBron James activates his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers

LeBron James will play his record 23rd NBA season with the Lakers, after activating his $52.6 million player option with Los Angeles. A decision that nevertheless raises questions about his long-term future in the City of Angels, as his agent Rich Paul clearly expressed the King’s expectations regarding roster construction.

Rival executives wonder about a possible trade

The activation of this option is not insignificant and could hide underlying tensions. According to The Athletic, LeBron James and the Lakers haven’t discussed a contract extension or new agreement that would have added additional years to his California tenure, which began in 2018.

« LeBron wants to compete for the title, » Rich Paul told ESPN. « He knows the Lakers are building for the future, he understands that, but he also values winning. We understand it’s difficult to win now while preparing for the future, and we want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage of his life and career. »

This statement sounds like a veiled ultimatum. Paul specified that James « is watching closely » the Lakers’ moves this summer to see if the organization is building a roster capable of competing for the NBA title.

The announcement has caused reactions throughout the league. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, rival team executives are wondering if this player option activation might be « a precursor to a trade request. » A hypothesis that gains weight knowing that LeBron has a no-trade clause and could therefore control his destination.

At 40, James remains an elite player averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season. He needs only 50 games to surpass Robert Parish in regular season games played and would become the player with the most seasons in the NBA, surpassing Vince Carter.

The offseason will be crucial for the Lakers, now led by Luka Doncic, if they want to convince their legend to extend the adventure beyond 2025-2026. Because one thing is certain: LeBron James doesn’t want to waste time and intends to ensure that every remaining season is dedicated to pursuing a fifth NBA title.