The crack deepens! King James executes the 52.6 million option, and the Lakers respond silently!

When Ritchie Paul announced to ESPN the decision to execute the player options, the entire basketball world was waiting for the Lakers to cheer. But what was waiting for was an intriguing silence.

Late at night on June 29, LeBron James made a decision to shock the league - implement the 2025-26 player option worth $52.6 million, start his 23rd season of his career, and become the first person in the longest season in the NBA history. This superstar, who has always been good at strategizing, rarely gave up the familiar "1+1" short-term contract strategy and temporarily locked himself in the Lakers camp. What is more intriguing is the reaction of the Lakers management. ESPN's top reporter Brian Windhorst said bluntly on the show: "James clearly stated that they did not ask for a contract renewal, but are you surprised? The Lakers' official official did not even issue a statement!" He sharply raised a key question: "Does he take the initiative not to ask for a contract renewal, or did he want to renew his contract but was turned away? This is completely different!" The clues of the rift have long been revealed. Lakers general manager Pelinka publicly stated at a press conference last month: "We will focus on cultivating young players and will not trade draft picks." Before he finished speaking, the team renewed Max Christie, who had few playing time for four years and 32 million yuan. This runs contrary to James' demand for a championship by cutting his salary - the old emperor is eager to win the championship in the end, but the management's mind has long been floating towards the future. The change in the wind direction within the Lakers has become an open secret. Since sending Davis away for Doncic, the Lakers' team building focus has quietly shifted. A league executive pointed out the mystery: "While they traded to Luca, they also unexpectedly got a more invested LeBron." But when the reporter asked about the progress of the inside reinforcement, James' cold "no advice" expressed the endless desolation between the alternation of the meritorious veteran and the new force. After the new boss Walter took over, the Lakers' tradition of treating heroes well in the past has become a cloud of smoke. James gave up the "1+1" rule of control of fate and chose to execute the full option, which is not only a compromise to reality, but also a prelude to a parting song. The Purple and Gold Legion seems to have retained the legend, but the silent crack is spreading quietly under the dazzling lights of Los Angeles.