LeBron James's return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025–26 season is no surprise. The way he has gone about it, however, and the franchise's muted reaction to the news is incredibly unusual however, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Rather than sign a new deal with the Lakers, James has opted into his player options for 2025–26, which will pay him $52.6 million and will have him hit unrestricted free agency next summer. The signing strikes Windohorst for two reasons: 1.) Los Angeles did not put out an immediate statement about the star forward opting in and 2.) It is the first time in James's two-decade career that he has exercised a player option.
