LeBron James opted into the final year of his contract on Sunday, tying him to the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more season.

LeBron James' decision to exercise his player option doesn't appear to be the positive sighting the Lakers were hoping for, as Shams Charania expressed the superstar's intent to play for a contender.

James, the league’s all-time leading scorer who turns 41 in December and will enter an unprecedented 23rd NBA season – breaking a tie with Vince Carter for most NBA seasons played – had until 2 p.m. on Sunday to decide on the option in his contract as part of the two-year, $101.4 million contract he signed with the Lakers last summer.