LeBron James is expected to opt into the final year of his contract

[ASFN Admin]

Sunday, June 29, is the deadline for LeBron James to let the Los Angeles Lakers know what he intends to do about his player option for the 2025-26 season, which is the final year on his current contract. He can either exercise it or turn it down, and if he were to turn it down, he would, in all likelihood, sign a new contract that would last slightly longer.

The player option, should he decide to opt in, will pay him $52.6 million. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, James is expected to opt in, which will limit the Lakers' options in free agency.

"The only mechanism the Lakers are projected to have in free agency is the taxpayer midlevel exception, worth $5.7 million, because James is expected to pick up the final year of his contract for $52.6 million, sources told ESPN," wrote McMenamin.

James, who is 40 years of age, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range this season. He reportedly suffered a sprained MCL in L.A.'s last playoff game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he was seen back on the court working on his game last weekend.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James is expected to opt into the final year of his contract

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