Report: LeBron James Expected To Play Up To 2 More Seasons

According to Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, LeBron James is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons.

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Coming off his 21st NBA season, LeBron James is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons, one source briefed on his thinking said,” Charania, Buha and Amick wrote. “He has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. Two more seasons would take James through the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

“It’s anticipated James, ahead of his June 29 option date, will want to see how the Lakers manage the offseason and their approach to building the roster around him and Anthony Davis. Both routes — opting in and opting out — are on the table for James. He places importance on having comprehensive and well-rounded depth around him, which could mean the Lakers explore trades in the lead-up to that player option, sandwiched between the NBA Draft, which begins June 26, and the opening of free agency on June 30.”

LeBron appeared in 71 games for the Lakers this season. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. 

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

“I just want to get home to the family,” LeBron said after Game 5. “Honestly, one of my boys is trying to decide if he’s going to enter the draft or go back to school. Another kid is playing AAU ball right now. My daughter is playing volleyball. My wife is doing so many great things. So it’s about family right now.

“Then, in a couple months, I gotta go to Vegas for training camp. So I need to rest my body for (USA Basketball).”

LeBron, who turns 40 in December, joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. The NBA legend guided Los Angeles to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.