Appreciate watching Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James play basketball while you can, because the 2025-26 NBA season could be his last.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James remains undecided about playing beyond the current campaign. James, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is in the midst of his record-setting 23rd season in the league. No one has ever played longer.
At the same time, if James believes this could be his last season -- something that sources close to James have insisted that he remains undecided about -- he might feel even more responsibility to suit up for every game on what would then be a retirement tour,” McMenamin wrote.
At this point in his career, there’s nothing left for James, 40, to prove, or accomplish. He’s simply playing for the love of the game. He wanted to stick around long enough to get to play alongside his son, Bronny, in the league, and he already checked that off the bucket list.
He’s the league’s all-time leader in seasons played, minutes played and points scored. He’s won four championships with three different franchises, and he has three gold medals to his name. His trophy case is probably bigger than most people’s homes.
So, if he wants to retire he’s certainly earned the right. But it’s tough to picture him walking away soon since he’s still one of the best players in the entire league. The guy was named to his 21st consecutive All-Star game and was named Second-Team All-Pro just last season.
He played in 70 games for L.A. Last season and posted averages of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per performance – better numbers than most players ever dream to reach. Could a competitive sicko like LeBron walk away when he's still such a productive player?
At media day this year, James acknowledged that his legendary journey is nearing its end, but he stopped short of saying that this would be his final season.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season,” James said. “However the journey lays out this year, I’m super-invested, because I don’t know when the end is. I know it’s a lot sooner than later.”
The fact that he’s still able to play at such a high level despite his advanced age and accumulated wear-and-tear isn’t lost on James.
“It’s pretty cool to know how many miles I’ve got and still be able to play at a high level,” James said. “For me, age is kind of just a number, but it is reality, too. … I just try not to take it for granted and just try to give the game as much as I can, inspire whoever I can.”
Whenever he does decide to walk away, James' absence will be felt in a major way. So again, appreciate him while you can.