Source: LeBron didn’t ask Lakers for extension, unsure if he’ll play beyond this season

LeBron James didn’t ask the Los Angeles Lakers for an extension this offseason, a league source told Lakers Daily.

James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.

James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, issued a cryptic statement to Shams Charania of ESPN after the leading scorer in NBA history picked up his 2025-26 player option. Paul’s statement created a firestorm, as pundits and fans thought James was upset with the Lakers and could request a trade.

However, a source told Lakers Daily that Paul’s statement to Charania was James’ way of putting pressure on Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka to improve the roster around him, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Paul’s statement worked, as Pelinka signed Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia this offseason.

James didn’t ask for an extension from the Lakers because he doesn’t know if he’s going to play in the 2026-27 season, the source said. The King turns 41 in December. He’s been in the NBA since 2003 and is the oldest active player in the association.

During Lakers media day on Monday, James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN that playing on the final year of his contract is not a big deal to him.

“It will have no impact,” James said. “I’m super excited about the challenges and the excitement of our team. We added some new guys. We got another year under our belt with our coaching staff from last year. Got a full year with Luka and another year with the guys that I’ve been with. So super excited about that.

“And I’m not worried about contracts at this point in my career. That doesn’t bother me at all. Super humbled to even have it, have a contract still and be able to play the game that I love still at this part of my career and take full advantage of it.”

James made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. He’s still an elite offensive player despite being the oldest active player in the NBA.

A four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP, James has fully recovered from the left knee injury he suffered in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 playoffs, but the Lakers don’t plan to play the future Hall of Famer that much in the preseason, the source said.