Should LeBron James pick up his player option and continue with the NBA organization, he may command over thirty percent of the Los Angeles Lakers salary budget.
Following the NBA’s salary cap announcement for the 2025/26 season—which grants teams a 10 percent increase—the Los Angeles Lakers are facing a $112 million LeBron James decision.
Following a two-year extension in July, the NBA salary cap will jump to $154.6M next season, per ESPN; the Lakers have superstar James, 40, on a contract including a player option for 2025–26 and a no-trade provision. James could choose to opt out and be qualified for an extension following next season, accounting for over 34 percent of the Lakers’ 2025/26 pay cap.
James would be more likely to accept a two-year contract at $112M, with £54.1 million set aside for the 2025/26 season, so presenting the Lakers with a significant choice regarding the locked-in future NBA Hall of Famer. The NBA player has been upfront about his future in the league and states he won’t be playing much longer.
He remarked: “It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level. That will not be the reason behind it. To be honest, I could most likely play this game at a high level for roughly five to seven years if I so desired. I won’t do it, though.”
“It’s all depending on my body, but more importantly, my mind,” he said before Bronny’s draft. “The heavens’ not even a limit for me if my thoughts can remain sharp and fresh and driven. I am capable of much more. However, we shall see.”
Along with his son Bronny James, who was picked by the Lakers last year and has made major progress in the G-League before compiling an NBA career-high points count of 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month, he has a chance at earning NBA gold. James questions if he would be able to play for another five to seven years in the NBA, although he thinks he would be able.
Should James still be playing at a top level, his son keeps developing, and the Lakers highlight their strength following the Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic’s trade might cause delays in James’ departure. With just 11 regular-season games left, the Lakers sit fifth in the Western Conference and are quite certain to make it to the playoffs.
James came back from against the Chicago Bulls a groin ailment. He could not, however, guide his squad to success even with a home-court edge. The Lakers next traveled to the Orlando Magic and lost, therefore subjecting the club to three straight losses.
According to Doncic, he must collaborate with James to get the Lakers out of their slide before the playoffs. The Lakers compiled a quite strong winning run after his arrival. “I believe we should return to our performance in that eight-game winning run [from 20 February to 6 March],” stated Doncic. “We can’t afford that; I believe we were somewhat satisfied.”