Lakers leave future up to LeBron James, extend coach JJ Redick

The Los Angeles Lakers have left LeBron James’ future on the star player, whereas they have given a contract extension to head coach JJ Redick. James picked up the $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season but there were doubts on his future with the franchise.

However, Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager, said the Lakers want James to play with them as long as he wants.

“The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he’s going to continue to play,” Pelinka said at his season-opening news conference on Thursday. “He’s earned that right.”

James will enter this season in a contract year for the first time as a member of the Lakers. Pelinka wants James to retire as a Laker.

“We would love if LeBron’s story would be he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said, echoing a sentiment he has shared before. “That would be a positive story.”

The Lakers have also decided to extend head coach JJ Redick’s contract.

“Just to make it clear that he’s the basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance,” Pelinka said of the motivation to extend Redick after he won 50 games and secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference in his first season as coach.

“We think he’s a special coach with a special voice that’s really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe in, what we’re going to lean into and what our players are going to mold into as we continue to develop the identity. I think having long-term planning is helpful as we build this team and go forward.”

The Lakers will begin their preseason against the Phoenix Suns on 3rd October.