Los Angeles Lakers Don’t Know When LeBron James Will Retire
The Los Angeles Lakers don’t know when LeBron James will retire from the NBA, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
James, 40, is the oldest active player in the NBA. He turns 41 in December and will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.
“Now, as far as LeBron’s future, I know there’s a lot of speculation,” Windhorst said. “Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don’t know. As far as I know, he’s honestly going year to year. Could this be his last year? Yes. Will it be his last year? I don’t know. Does he know right now? Maybe. But my interpretation is that it has not been established. He will see where he’s at at the end of the year.”
A four-time champion, James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He enters next season with career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. The four-time Finals MVP is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.
A four-time MVP, James is arguably the best player in NBA history. If the Akron native plays in 2026-27, one NBA executive expects the Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors to pursue him.
“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I’m looking at,” an NBA executive told DallasHoopsJournal. “All three would have loved to trade for him (LeBron James) this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money. Once he’s on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind.”
It will be fascinating to see if James retires after next season or chooses to play in 2026-27. The basketball legend averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season in 70 games. He finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team.
James joined the Lakers in 2018. He led the franchise to the 2020 championship against the Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.
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