Getty Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Veteran forward LeBron James has until June 29 to exercise his $52.7 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Although most analysts expect James to opt out and sign a new deal, there is growing uncertainty about his unwillingness to take a pay cut to help the Lakers build a championship-level roster. Amid the uncertainty, Shannon Sharpe, a close friend of the Lakers superstar, has shut down rumors of James departing for the Cavaliers to close