Context:

LeBron James has opted to play a 23rd NBA season, setting a new record for career longevity in the league. He exercised a $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, making him the first player to achieve this milestone. James recently resumed workouts following a knee injury sustained in the last season's playoffs and expressed confidence in his readiness for the upcoming training camp. His return also marks his first full season alongside Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers from Dallas last February. Approaching his 41st birthday, James continues to excel, having been an All-NBA pick 21 times and is the league's all-time scoring leader, with the potential to surpass Robert Parish's record for most regular-season games played if he remains healthy.

Dive Deeper:

• LeBron James has chosen to continue his career for a 23rd season, becoming the first NBA player to do so, by exercising a $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season.

• Despite not making a public announcement, sources confirmed the decision to the Associated Press, and it was initially reported by ESPN and The Athletic.

• James, who recently began on-court workouts after recovering from a knee injury, indicated his readiness for the upcoming training camp, suggesting his intentions to play another season.

• The upcoming season will be James's first full year playing alongside Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in February.

• Turning 41 in December, LeBron James has been selected to the All-NBA team 21 times out of his 22 seasons, a record unmatched by any other player.

• James leads the NBA in all-time scoring and is just 49 games short of breaking Robert Parish's record for the most regular-season games played, a milestone he could reach if he stays healthy.

• His decision to continue playing has pushed his career on-court earnings to approximately $580 million, further cementing his legacy in NBA history.