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.

Lakers star LeBron James has exercised his $52.6-million option as expected. He is poised to become the first NBA player to compete during 23 seasons.

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.