The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to open the 2025-26 NBA season without LeBron James, as the superstar continues to recover from a lingering sciatica issue.
But while his absence from training camp is cause enough for concern, it’s his recent comments about the future that have truly left fans wondering how much longer “The King” plans to keep playing.
Now entering his 23rd NBA season, the most in league history, James is facing the one opponent he can’t outscore: time. At 40 years old and just two months shy of turning 41, he remains among the game’s elite when healthy, but the questions about his longevity are impossible to ignore.
When asked by ESPN about his mindset entering the season, James gave a typically measured but cryptic response.
“Not worried about yesterday and not trying to focus on what the future holds,” he said. “It’s about staying present… Because like I said, I don’t know when the end is, but I know it is not as long [away as] The Godfather 2. So I know I got to stay present.”
The remark – reflective, humorous, and evasive – perfectly encapsulated where James stands in his career: still chasing greatness, but aware the curtain is inching closer.
Injuries, legacy, and the question of when to walk away
James‘ right-side sciatica, suffered during offseason workouts in late July, has limited his ability to train at full speed. The Lakers expect him to miss several weeks to start the season as he focuses on recovery, but the organization has remained confident he’ll return in peak form.
That hasn’t stopped speculation about whether this could be his final campaign. Former teammate Kendrick Perkins, now an ESPN analyst, said he believes James’ body might finally be telling him it’s time to consider retirement.
“His body is telling him, ‘Hey, I’ve been good to you, it’s time for you to be good to me,'” Perkins said on NBA Today. “Not right now, but at the end of this season, I feel like this should be LeBron‘s last season. He’s accomplished everything.”
It’s hard to argue with that sentiment. Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game while earning his 21st All-Star selection and finishing sixth in MVP voting – his highest placement since 2020.
Even at 40, he continues to perform at a level few in league history have sustained this deep into their careers.
Still, this offseason brought fresh drama when James opted into his $52.6 million player option, confirming his return to Los Angeles amid rumors of a possible trade. Multiple teams reportedly inquired about his availability, but the Lakers were firm in their stance that he remains central to their plans.
The arrival of Luka Doncic, now seen as the franchise’s next cornerstone, also hints at the Lakers’ evolving identity.
With James sidelined to start the year, Doncic will carry a heavier load, and once the two share the court, it will mark the first full season of one of the most intriguing superstar pairings in basketball.
As for James, he insists his focus remains solely on the present. He’s stopped short of setting any farewell dates, and if his words are anything to go by, fans shouldn’t expect one anytime soon.
“I’ve never played this game thinking about the end,” James said earlier this year. “I play because I still love the process – the work, the competition, and the challenge of it all.”
Whether this season marks the beginning of his farewell tour or just another chapter in an unprecedented career, LeBron James remains the game’s defining figure, one whose every word continues to send ripples through the NBA.
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