LeBron James has decided to opt into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN this week. That means James will stay with the team for at least one more season, joining forces again with All-NBA teammate Luka Doncic.
At first glance, this seems like great news for Lakers fans. James remains one of the best players in the league—even at age 40—and pairing him with Doncic full-time could make the Lakers strong contenders. Last season, the duo showed promising chemistry after Doncic joined the team in February. A full training camp could make them even better.
But James’s choice to opt in is a bit surprising. Historically, he’s always preferred flexibility. Throughout his time in Cleveland, Miami, and even Los Angeles, LeBron has usually opted out of contracts to either negotiate better deals or to influence the direction of the team. So why stay locked in now?
One reason might be that opting in keeps his trade options open. If James had declined the $53 million player option and signed a new short-term deal, league rules would have prevented him from being traded until mid-December. By opting in, James can technically be traded at any point next season—if he decides he wants out.
Paul’s statement hinted at that possibility. While he said LeBron wants to compete for a championship, he also noted that the Lakers are “building for the future,” and that James “values a realistic chance of winning it all.” That doesn’t sound like someone fully committed to one last title run in L.A.
The Lakers’ current roster shows potential but isn’t perfect. Luka Doncic is a superstar who’s expected to come back stronger and more motivated next season. Austin Reaves could make his first All-Star appearance. However, their offseason moves have raised some eyebrows. They replaced a solid wing defender, Dorian Finney-Smith, with Jake LaRavia, who’s still unproven. They’re also reportedly considering Deandre Ayton as their starting center, which brings questions.
Even with James playing at an incredibly high level—averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds while shooting over 51% from the field—the Western Conference is brutal. Oklahoma City won 68 games last season and is still improving. Houston added big names like Kevin Durant and Clint Capela. Denver retooled its roster to stay competitive. Dallas, meanwhile, might have the league’s best frontcourt, and if Kyrie Irving returns from injury midseason, they’ll be even more dangerous.
So what happens if the Lakers aren’t good enough to compete with these teams? Could James ask for a trade?
Right now, that’s tricky. ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former NBA executive, said there’s no easy trade market for LeBron. His salary is huge, and the league’s new financial rules make it tough for teams to absorb contracts like his without major sacrifices. Also, because of his no-trade clause, James would have to approve any deal.
Still, it’s possible. Would Dallas move its bench to reunite Luka with LeBron? Could Cleveland bring him back one more time? Would the Knicks or even Golden State find a way to make a deal?
The Lakers also have a long-term plan. By 2026, they’re expected to have a clean salary cap. Doncic is expected to sign a three-year, $165 million extension, and the Lakers will try to build a strong roster around him with shooters and defenders—similar to what worked for Doncic in Dallas.
LeBron’s next move may depend on how the Lakers start the season. He may embrace playing with Doncic and his son Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers. Or, if the team falls short, we could see if the Lakers are willing to make big changes to keep their star happy.
For now, LeBron James is a Laker. But how long that lasts remains to be seen.
