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9h ago

Lakers Leave LeBron James in Limbo With Opt-In and No Extension Offer

By withholding any extension after his $52.6 million opt-in, the Lakers have signaled that they view 2025-26 as James’ final season.

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Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a teammate scored and was fouled on the shot against the Miami Heat during the second half of the 2024 California Classic at Chase Center on July 10, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Overview

  • LeBron James officially opted into his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26 yet has received no contract extension talks or public announcement.
  • Internal planning reportedly sets spring 2026 as the end of James’s tenure, underscoring a franchise pivot to young star Luka Dončić.
  • James felt underappreciated after being excluded from major decisions, including the majority sale to Mark Walter and the trade for Doncic.
  • Trade speculation is mounting with the Cavaliers, Knicks and Warriors among teams eyeing James’s expiring contract.
  • Free agents such as Brook Lopez have grown wary of joining the Lakers amid uncertainty over James’s future, complicating roster building.