When LeBron James exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season on Sunday, his commitment came with a parachute string: Build a winning roster now ... or else.

LeBron James decided to pick up his player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, his agent told ESPN on Sunday afternoon.

The Lakers, after acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavericks for Anthony Davis in a seismic midseason trade, earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference at 50-32 but lost to the Timberwolves 4-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.