LeBron James continues to command the spotlight as the 2025 NBA offseason approaches. With his current contract featuring a player option worth $52,627,153 for next season, fans are once again asking if the Los Angeles Lakers superstar will exercise his right to become a free agent or return to the team for another campaign.
At 40 years old, James is already the most statistically accomplished player in NBA history, and his career has become a masterclass in maintaining control over his future. By structuring contracts with player options, the four-time MVP ensures that he always has a say in where he plays and for how long.
While speculation about retirement grows louder as LeBron approaches his 41st birthday in December, he remains a top-20 player by any metric, with some analysts ranking him even higher. His performance on the court this season shows he still has plenty left in the tank.
During the 2024-25 regular season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists across 70 games. In the playoffs, he played through a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, still managing 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game as the Lakers fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Family ties and the Lakers’ plans shape LeBron’s decision
The biggest storyline surrounding LeBron James is his connection to the Lakers and his family. With his son Bronny James now part of the team and superstar Luka Doncic joining the roster, there is plenty of incentive for James to continue wearing purple and gold.
NBA insiders widely expect James to opt out of his player option, only to re-sign a new deal with the Lakers, most likely a one-plus-one contract that gives him the flexibility he values. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, “LeBron has demonstrated repeatedly, time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles. Unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them, which is not their MO – I don’t see that happening.”
James has a long track record of making decisions that maximize his legacy and influence. After stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, he joined the Lakers in 2018. His time in Los Angeles has included a 2020 NBA championship, but also a mix of playoff disappointment and team-building challenges.
The Lakers missed the postseason in 2019 and 2022, lost in the first round in 2021, 2024, and 2025, and made a run to the conference finals in 2023.
As of now, it seems highly unlikely that LeBron James would leave the Lakers or retire. The presence of Bronny James on the roster, the draw of another title run alongside Luka Doncic, and his strong ties to Los Angeles all point toward another season in purple and gold.
If James does decide to become a free agent, he would be the most coveted player on the market, even at age 40.
However, the smart money remains on the King staying right where he is, adding another chapter to his historic NBA career.
Read the full article here
