James opts in with Lakers for next NBA season

LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million player option to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers next season, hoping to challenge for his fifth NBA title, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

ESPN and The Athletic reported James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player who turns 41 in December, will be watching the Lakers’ off-season roster moves as he prepares for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” James’s agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, has not said whether he sees the 2025-26 NBA season as possibly his last or whether he plans to play longer.

He would surpass the mark he shares with Vince Carter for the most career NBA seasons and needs only 50 more contests to break the all-time NBA record for most regular-season games played — 1,611 set by Robert Parish from 1976-1997.

James this past week posted a social media video of his first workout since suffering a left knee injury in a playoff loss to Minnesota.

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James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game for the Lakers last season. He has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.4 assists and 7.5 rebounds.

The forward’s legacy includes 21 NBA All-Star selections as well as NBA crowns with Miami in 2012 and 2013, Cleveland in 2016 and the Lakers in 2020.

Meanwhile, Pistons’ Beasley being investigated on NBA-related gambling: report
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is being investigated by the US District Attorney’s office on allegations of gambling on NBA games and prop bets, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

BREAKING: The U.S. District Attorney’s office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, sources told ESPN. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents. pic.twitter.com/U0W1QONYva

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

Per Charania, the Pistons were in “serious talks” with Beasley, 28, on a new three-year, $42 million contract, but those are now on hold.

A prominent US sportsbook noticed unusual betting activity on prop bets for Beasley beginning in January 2024, according to ESPN gambling reporter David Payne Purdum. Beasley was playing his lone season with the Milwaukee Bucks at that point. 

At least one prominent US sportsbook noticed unusual betting patterns on Malik Beasley prop bets beginning in January 2024.

— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) June 29, 2025

Last season, Beasley emerged as an impact player for Detroit as the team returned to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2019. Signing a one-year, $6 million deal, he averaged 16.3 points and shot 41 per cent on 3-pointers, finishing second in NBA sixth man of the year voting.

Beasley’s 319 3-pointers made were second in the league behind Anthony Edwards’ 320 for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became the third player in NBA history to hit 300 3s while shooting at least 40 per cent from behind the arc.

Detroit selected Tennessee sharpshooter Chaz Lanier in the second round of last week’s NBA Draft and is reportedly among the top suitors for free agent guard Nickeil Walker-Alexander. This development with Beasley could potentially increase urgency for the Pistons to move on both of those fronts.