Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Reflects on Retirement, Says ‘The End Is Coming’

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by Cristian Andal

NBA superstar LeBron James.
NBA superstar LeBron James. Photo: Getty Images.

LeBron James has never been one to shy away from the big conversations, and in his latest sit-down on 360 with Speedy, the Los Angeles Lakers star finally addressed the question fans have been asking for years: when will he hang it up?

Now 40 years old, LeBron enters his 23rd NBA season as the league’s elder statesman, the oldest active player still suiting up nightly. He has one year left on his Lakers contract and will celebrate his 41st birthday in December. For the first time, he sounded like a man who sees the finish line coming into view.

“I know I’m on the other side of the hump for sure,” James admitted. “I’m not about to play another 23 years. That’s for damn sure. And I’m not about to play another 10. So I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is. I’m not there yet, but I’m super blessed to be here, year 23.”

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer emphasized that he’s not walking away just yet — pointing out he’s still adding new passions, like golf, without signaling immediate retirement. Still, he acknowledged what every fan knows: Father Time always wins.

Next summer could be especially interesting. James will hit unrestricted free agency for the first time since 2018, opening the door for suitors across the league. One NBA executive has already hinted that Cleveland, Dallas, and Golden State will be first in line if LeBron decides to extend his career into 2026–27.

LeBron James.
LeBron James. Photo: USA TODAY Sports.

Of course, the résumé speaks for itself: four MVPs, four Finals MVPs, 20 All-Star nods, and a 2020 championship with the Lakers inside the Orlando bubble. Even last season, at 40, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 boards, and 8.2 assists across 70 games, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting.

For a player once dubbed “The Chosen One,” it’s surreal to even imagine the NBA without him. Whether he walks away next summer or stretches his career a little further, LeBron’s exit will mark the end of an era that changed the league forever.

As he put it himself: retirement is coming — just not today.