Lakers' LeBron James Hypes 23rd NBA Season in IG Photos, 'Make the Most of It'

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James says he is ready to "make the most of" his record 23rd season in the NBA.

"SZN 23 for you... Make the most of it!" James wrote in the caption of a Thursday Instagram post sharing photos from the Lakers' media day.

By picking up his $52.6 million player option to return to Los Angeles for the 2025-26 campaign, James set himself on course to become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season.

The decision came after the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks last season, then ensured Dončić would stick around by signing him to a three-year extension this summer.

Both Dončić and second-year head coach JJ Redick, who reportedly signed an extension this summer that will bring his contract through the 2029-30 season, are now locked in with the Lakers for the long term.

James' future with the franchise is less clear. The 21-time All-Star, who will turn 41 in December, is currently set to hit unrestricted free agency next spring.

"First things first would be for him to be able to make the decision he wants to in terms of how long he wants to play," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said at a season-opening press conference last Thursday. "We're going to continue to honor and respect that."

When asked if the Lakers would be interested in keeping James with the team past the 2025-26 season, Pelinka answered, "We would love if LeBron's story would be to retire as a Laker. That'd be a positive story."

For now, James will focus on recovering from the nerve issue that sidelined him this week in training camp so he can be ready to play alongside Dončić when the Lakers open the regular season with an Oct. 21 home game against the Golden State Warriors.