The end is near for Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
A 40-year-old superstar who has had the most storied career in NBA history, James is now the league’s all-time leader in games (1,854), minutes (71,103), points (50,473), win shares (330.9), All-Star selections (21), and All-NBA selections (20). He ranks second on the all-time leaderboard in NBA Finals MVP awards (4), free-throw conversions (10,516), and Olympic gold medals (3). He ranks top-five in career assists (13,679; 3rd), steals (2,838; 5th), and 3-pointers (3,039; 5th).
The chances that fans see another player like him in their lifetime —a born star who dominated from Chapter 1 to Chapter 22 —isn’t high. Even San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama is off the pace that James set. With that being said, there’s still a chance that the ‘kid from Akron’ isn’t done yet.
LeBron James Provides Update On Retirement Plan
“I haven’t had the conversation with the family yet as far as me going forward or whatever the case may be,” James tells co-host Steve Nash on the Mind the Game podcast.
“But we’ll see what happens.”
Why He’ll Return For Next Season
Honestly, it’s unlikely that James turns down his contract and walks away from the game.
For one, James has a $50.7 million player option for the 2025-26 season. That’s a lot of money for anyone to walk away from, even a billionaire. Furthermore, he played quite well in 2024-25 and should be able to fend off Father Time a little longer. Lastly, the Lakers also managed to inject energy and faith in the franchise with the Luka Doncic trade.
There’s also the fact that James and Doncic were handily defeated in the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. If you’re James, that’s not the storybook ending you’re looking for. Not in the least.
Conversely, one last hurrah gives him a chance to put up a better fight in the playoffs. Though he doesn’t believe he has anything left to prove, he could win that ever-elusive fifth ring. To that point, there’s no better way for James to go out than riding off into the sunset.
On the sentimental side, a return also allows him to go on an official retirement tour.
James has both basked in and bristled at the attention that comes with his fame. Nevertheless, a retirement tour isn’t just an event his fans would love. It’s an opportunity for him to be given his flowers by everyone who cherishes the game —fans, players, coaches, executives, even the media.
If there are questions about his future, they’re: (1) will he finish his career with the Lakers; and (2) will he try to stick around long enough to be on an NBA court with his youngest son, Arizona commit Bryce James.
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