The future of LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the dominant narratives of the 2025-26 NBA season.

In June, James picked up the $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season, leading many to speculate whether the superstar would retire or seek another team in his 23rd year.

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Rich Paul, James' agent, said at the time in a statement. "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.”

Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager, told the media on Thursday that the Lakers “hope to remain in the LeBron business as long as the four-time champion wants to be with them.”

"The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he's going to continue to play," Pelinka said at his news conference. "He's earned that right."

Pelinka also noted that the Lakers built a "really competitive, strong team" with which to win for both James and Luka Doncic. 

Elsewhere in his commentary, Pelinka said he would be interested in re-signing James next year.

"We would love it if LeBron's story would be that he retired a Laker," Pelinka said, echoing a sentiment he has shared before. "That would be a positive story."

The Lakers' offseason moves included re-signing star Doncic and signing free agents Marcus Smart and DeAndre Ayton. 

Pelinka also announced that the Lakers reached a contract extension with head coach JJ Reddick.