With LeBron James preparing to turn 41 on Tuesday, speculating regarding his NBA future will likely intensify.
The 6-foot-9 Los Angeles Lakers forward is in the midst of completing his 23rd season in the big leagues and will be regarded as a top-2 player of all time, no matter how the 2025-26 campaign concludes.
On Monday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided a massive update on James’ NBA status moving forward, citing that golf could play a surprising role in his upcoming retirement decision.
“Just look at the clues. James is in the final year of his contract,” McMenamin wrote. “His longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, told ESPN over the summer that James didn’t ask for an extension with the Lakers.”
“We could also be looking ahead at the last 50 or so regular-season games that James has left in him. In the past week, he said he isn’t qualified to speak about (Utah) Jazz guard Keyonte George‘s All-Star credentials because he is watching too much YouTube golf in his spare time.”
“He also said at this point in his life, he is ready to be home with his family rather than playing on Christmas Day.”
McMenamin’s report is telling, to say the least. If James is truly more invested in watching golf than basketball when he isn’t playing and no longer possesses the hunger to play on Christmas Day, it could be a sign that the end is near for the former Cleveland Cavaliers phenom.
What more could James possibly have to prove in the NBA? The 21-time All-Star has won four NBA championships, four Finals MVPs, four regular MVPs, and scored over 40,000 points in his illustrious career.
Obviously, James would like to cap the 2025-26 season with another title. However, if a championship doesn’t materialize, it wouldn’t be surprising to witness the former No. 1 overall pick step away from the game for good.
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