LeBron James' future in the NBA is uncertain as the Lakers face elimination in the playoffs. With speculation about retirement growing, James' performance has declined, raising questions about his career longevity.
Key points
LeBron James' future in the NBA is uncertain.
The Lakers are facing elimination in the playoffs.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds this season.
Speculation about retirement is growing as his performance declines.
The end is nigh for LeBron James, even if we don't want to admit it. The Lakers supernova enjoyed another dazzling campaign in Year No. 23, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds while helping the Lakers earn a top-four seed in the Western Conference.
James and Los Angeles' season is on the verge of ending at the hands of the Thunder, who hold a commanding 3-0 series lead in their second-round Western Conference series. With that, the King's final game, not just in a Lakers uniform, but in the NBA, may take place Monday night
Predictably, sights are now turning to James' future. Father Time is unbeaten. And while James remains one of basketball's finest talents in his early-40s, his recent production has lagged behind his career averages.
He'll have a litany of options to sift through as he attempts to figure out his plans in the 2026-27 season and beyond. Many have suggested that James would announce his plans to step into the sunset with a retirement tour a la Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and countless other sporting greats. Recent reports indicate that might not be the case.
Q&A
Is LeBron James planning to retire after the 2026-27 NBA season?
LeBron James has not confirmed any plans to retire, but speculation is increasing as his performance has started to decline.
What were LeBron James' statistics during the 2022-23 NBA season?
In the 2022-23 season, LeBron James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game.
How are the Lakers performing in the playoffs this season?
The Lakers are currently facing elimination in the playoffs, trailing 3-0 in their series against the Thunder.
What impact does LeBron James' potential retirement have on the Lakers?
LeBron James' retirement could significantly impact the Lakers' roster and their future plans, as he is a key player for the team.
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James hasn't yet made his plans for the 2026-27 season known. However, those close to him have reportedly indicated that retirement remains a real possibility for the 41-year-old.
James has logged more minutes and games than any player in NBA history. He continues to shine in the twilight of his career, although his scoring and rebounding averages dipped to their lowest marks since his rookie season.
The Athletic reported that, contrary to popular belief, James doesn't want a farewell tour. He reportedly told sources directly that he plans on stepping away from the game without much fanfare, a deviation from the pomp and circumstance he has typically sought out throughout his career.
That's not to say James is hanging up his sneakers, though. According to The Athletic, some around the league believe he could cast his sights towards one last run with the Cavaliers. Others think he could end up on the Warriors, sharing the floor with longtime friend — and occasional rival — Stephen Curry.
Golden State is believed to register real interest in James, per The Athletic. However, the luxury tax could loom large. Neither the Warriors nor the Cavaliers is expected to have much wiggle room in terms of luxury tax space. If James wanted to sign for those teams, he'd likely have to concede some salary to do so.
James previously claimed that he believes he can play at a high level into his late-40s. However, he admitted that it doesn't appeal to him.
"If I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably for about another — it's weird that I might say this — but probably about another five to seven years, if I wanted to," James said after turning 40 in Dec. 2024, per ESPN. "But I'm not going to do that."
Speculation ran rife about James' future prospects ahead of the 2025-26 season. Some believed he had grown tired of Los Angeles, citing its desire to prioritize the development of younger stars.
A mid-season run that catapulted the Lakers to the upper echelons of the Western Conference might've stopped that rot, opening the door for a potential James return in 2026-27. His son, Bronny, remains tied to the roster through next season with a team option slated for the 2027-28 season. There's also his other son, Bryce, who redshirted at Arizona. ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported that the possibility existed that James could hold out for Bryce to enter the NBA Draft before calling it quits. James shut down those whispers on the dawn of the regular season.
“I’m not waiting on Bryce,” James said, per NBA.com. “I don’t know what his timeline is. He’s his own young man now. He’s down in Tucson. We’ll see what happens this year, next year. He has his own timeline, I’ve got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up. We’ll see.”
James has acknowledged that he's on the wrong side of the aging curve. Prior to the 2025-26 season, he told reporters that he doesn't "know when the end is."
"I know it’s a lot sooner than later," James said.
Eight months later, things appear to remain the same in the James camp. When he steps away, he's expected to do so on his own terms. We'll just have to wait to see when that is.
LeBron James contract
James is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. He should have a fair few options when he does hit the open market.
