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LeBron James Opts to Stay with Lakers, Spurns Mavericks Reunion
22 Jul
Summary
- LeBron James picks up $52.6M player option to return to Lakers
- Considered joining Mavericks to team up with Davis and Irving
- Lakers make offseason moves to build roster around James and Dončić

In a surprising move, NBA superstar LeBron James has opted to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season. Despite speculation that he could request a trade or buyout to join a preferred destination, the four-time MVP has decided to pick up his $52.6 million player option, marking his longest consecutive tenure with one franchise.
While James was reportedly interested in joining the Dallas Mavericks to team up with former teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, the lure of a $52 million payday proved too difficult to pass up. The Lakers have also made several offseason additions, including Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart, as they look to build a contending roster around James and young phenom Luka Dončić.
Despite the ongoing trade and buyout rumors, James appears set to begin the 2023-24 NBA season with the Lakers, a team he has led to a championship in the past. The decision to stay in Los Angeles, where he has spent the last seven seasons, will undoubtedly be a relief for Lakers fans as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.