Four-time NBA champion LeBron James plans to opt out of the player option for next season with an expectation that he will return to the Lakers on a new deal, according to a report by The Athletic.
The Athletic, citing league sources, reported Saturday that James intends to opt out of the $51.4-million player option, then return to the team on new terms.
James, who turns 40 in December, has until 2 p.m. PT Saturday to make an official decision on the opt-out.
The report comes just days after the Lakers announced JJ Redick would become the team’s new head coach and used the 55th pick of the NBA Draft to select James’ eldest son Bronny out of USC in a move of historic significance. James has expressed a desire to play alongside his son, and the duo would become the league’s first father-son duo to be on the court together.
Bronny James’ addition to the team made James’ return seem more likely with the dream of playing on the same team with his son a step closer to reality. James could pick up his option for 2024-25, or he could sign a new extension for even more money. He could get a maximum three-year, $162 million deal that would give him the longest career in NBA history if he played out the contract.
Either option would likely be just fine with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, who showed a similarly passionate loyalty to Kobe Bryant when she pushed to give him a $48.5 million extension for the final two seasons of his career despite his growing injury problems.