LEBRON JAMES has made his official decision over his Los Angeles Lakers future.
The NBA legend had been mulling over retirement following the climax of his 22nd season.
LeBron, 40, had an option to extend his contract with the LA Lakers by one more season.
The option would see him pocket a tidy $52.6million if it were taken up.
It has now been announced that LeBron has taken the opportunity to play for one more season with the Lakers.
The decision was confirmed to ESPN by Klutch Sport CEO and his agent Rich Paul.
He said: “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.”
With LeBron staying it means that the Lakers will only have $6m to splash on free agents and other offseason moves.
The basketball icon joined the Franchise back in 2018 and won the NBA Championship that year.
The team has made LeBron’s friend, JJ Redick, the head coach and drafted in his son, Bronny.
LeBron could now call time on his glittering career at the end of the 2025-26 season.
If he were to continue playing, then he would become a free agent after the season and likely take a big pay cut to join a new team.
LeBron has been at the NBA’s maximum contract level since 2014.
Last season he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
Both his rebound and assist averages for the year were higher than his career averages.
James was named to the All-NBA second team this year.
Time for LeBron to retire?
“Not because I don’t want to see more of LeBron James, not because I don’t appreciate LeBron James.
“But I honestly believe deep down inside, the more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it’s going to hurt his legacy and the more it’s going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument.
“As long as he steps foot on that floor, every single season, there’s gonna expectations of him winning a championship.
“And when he don’t do that, we’re gonna be looking at him saying: ‘Well what happened now?'”
ESPN star Kendrick Perkins speaking on First Take about LeBron James’ future in the NBA
He also finished sixth in MVP voting.
Meanwhile, he was recently left stunned by a crowds “disrespectful” reaction after being spotted in New York.
A video shared by TMZ showed the NBA legend being jeered by basketball fans.
Booing broke out while one fan told him to “go back to LA” and another said “you’ll never beat MJ or Kobe Bryant“.
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