Los Angeles Lakers Exec Reveals if Franchise Is ‘Happy’ LeBron James Is Still on the Team

NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to a Los Angeles Lakers exec in Las Vegas at Summer League about LeBron James, who picked up his 2025-26 player option worth $52.6 million.

The Lakers exec told Smith that the franchise is “happy” LeBron is still on the team.

“Whenever you sign a player to a deal with an option, you willingly give them the control to initially guide the situation,” a Lakers front office exec told Smith. “But this notion that a player option gives the player all of the power is pretty silly. If they opt out, the team is then a partner in re-signing them or not. If they opt in, then the team is a partner in whatever happens next too.

“For LeBron, he had a player option and made his decision to opt in. We’re just happy that he’s still a Laker.”

After playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2017-18, LeBron James signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2018 as an unrestricted free agent. The NBA legend’s tenure in Los Angeles has been somewhat of a rollercoaster.

The Lakers missed the playoffs in Year 1, won the championship in Year 2, lost in the first round of the playoffs in Year 3, missed the playoffs in Year 4, lost in the conference finals in Year 5 and lost in the first round of the playoffs in Year 6 and 7.

LeBron’s future with the Lakers became a hot topic after his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, “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.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

LeBron, who turns 41 in December, is the oldest active player in the league. He made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season.

All signs point toward LeBron staying with the Lakers, who drafted his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA Draft. LeBron could retire from the NBA after next season.