LeBron James Picks $52.6M Lakers Option, Former Teammate Beverley Plans NBA Return

LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 NBA season, marking his 23rd NBA season. Despite this, James and his agent Rich Paul have indicated that he values a realistic chance to compete for a championship and may be considering his future given the Lakers' current rebuilding phase around Luka Dončić. James, who has a no-trade clause, has publicly expressed frustration with the Lakers' recent roster moves and remains undecided about how long he plans to continue playing, emphasizing discussions with his family and support system. Meanwhile, former teammate Patrick Beverley, after playing in the Israeli League and helping Tel Aviv to a strong finish, announced his intentions to return to the NBA next season. Beverley has actively reached out to NBA general managers and coaches, aiming for a comeback where he would likely serve as a veteran presence and mentor younger players. Both athletes are navigating critical junctures in their careers, with James evaluating his championship prospects and Beverley seeking to reestablish himself in the league.