‘Savannah wants me to retire’: Why LeBron James is opting for $52.6 million player option amid Lakers rumors

LeBron James has opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers

Published on: Jun 29, 2025, 22:30:45 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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LeBron James is not done, at least for now. The NBA's career scoring leader, set to play a record 23rd season, has opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN. The decision, taken before the deadline, guarantees that the 40-year-old is not retiring anytime soon and will be around for at least one more season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is set to play his 23rd NBA season (AP)

According to Paul, James is currently monitoring the Lakers' off-season moves and wants to compete for the championship this year.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career,” Rich Paul told ESPN.

However, retirement is also on James' mind, and his wife, Savannah, has a role to play in his decision. Next summer, the 40-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent, and that opens the door for discussions around his future.

According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, LeBron, his wife Savannah, former teammate Kevin Love, and his wife Kate were out for dinner when the Lakers' star allegedly said: “[Savannah] wants me to f**king retire in the next year or so.”

The $52.6 million option, part of a two-year, $104 million deal signed in July 2024, is James’s highest single-season salary. By opting in rather than negotiating a new deal, he retains a no-trade clause and flexibility to become a free agent in 2026, giving him leverage to assess Los Angeles’ roster-building.

LeBron James will be playing alongside his son, Bronny, this season too. Meanwhile, rumors suggest the Lakers are targeting a center to pair with Doncic and James, addressing their playoff loss where coach JJ Redick leaned on small-ball lineups.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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