The last dance? James executes the 52.6 million player option next season, and his wife Savanna hopes he retires next year

June 30, on June 30, according to ESPN famous reporter Shams, James' agent Ritchie Paul revealed that 40-year-old LeBron James will choose to execute the 2025-26 season of $52.6 million player option and continue to stay with the Lakers for one year. It is reported that James's wife Savanna hopes that he will retire after playing the new season.

Ritchie Paul said: "James is aware that the Lakers are planning for the future. He understands the team's future planning direction, but he values ​​the current championship opportunities. We highly value the partnership we have established with Jenny Buss and Pelinka in the past eight years, and regard the Lakers as an important chapter in his career. The team hopes to evaluate which choices are most beneficial to James at the current stage of his career."

2025-26 season will be James' 23rd season, and he will become the first player in history to compete in his 23rd season.

This season's regular season, James played 70 games, averaged 34.9 minutes per game, scoring 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1 steal, 0.6 blocks, and his three-in-one shooting percentage was 51.3/37.6/78.2%.

Playoffs, James played 5 games, averaged 40.7 minutes per game, scored 25.4 points, 9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2 steals and 1.8 blocks, and his three-in-one shooting percentage was 48.9/35.7/77.5%.

According to Spotac Data Company statistics, after choosing to implement the 2025-26 season player option, James' career revenue is about to exceed the $600 million mark.

Shams then added that James was not sure if the new season was his last dance. Recently he had dinner with his wife Savanna, Heat center Love and his wife Kate, as well as some other close friends in New York. A dinner participant posted a video clip on Instagram, in which James can be heard saying, "Savana hopes I will retire around next year."

In response, netizens said, "Maybe...it's the last season..."

"The old man is going to have the last dance? James, please cherish it. Good wishes”

"There is a high probability that it will be the last year. In the 26-year offseason, James will be close to 43 years old. He will be 42 years old this year. This is one. The second is that if he signs 1+1, he can consider whether he wants to play another year next season. If he does not sign, he will consider reducing his salary for free agents to join a stronger team. But James should not do that. Losing his value."

"I feel that the Lakers didn't want to make a big move at all, just want to make a year. When James retires next year, a bunch of expired contracts will free up salary space to sign stars"

"Jackson chose to execute the contract this year, probably for the purpose of trading, leaving some self-produced for the Lakers..."

"To be honest, I have prepared for James' retirement countless times, but when that day is coming, I am still not ready."