text:  The Athletic reported today that LeBron James intends to opt out of his $51 million player option for next season and that the expectation is that LeBron will return to the Lakers on a new deal. TNT adds that James is considering opening up a pathway for the Lakers to obtain the full mid-level exception for the right target. Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell reportedly plans to opt into the final year of his contract for $18.7 million.