LeBron James is entering his 23rd NBA season under a cloud of uncertainty. For the first time in his career, the Los Angeles Lakers did not offer the 40-year-old a contract extension. Instead, James will play on a one-year, $52.6 million deal, while the front office shifts focus to Luka Doncicas the team’s new franchise leader.
General Manager Rob Pelinka framed the decision as “absolute respect to choose his story,” but the message was clear: the Lakers are building for the future, not for LeBron’s twilight.
At media day, James admitted retirement is no longer a distant thought. “I don’t know when the end is, but I know it’s sooner rather than later,” he said. That confession fueled speculation that this could be his final season in Los Angeles… or in the NBA.
Still Playing Like It’s Day One
Yet, James doesn’t sound like someone ready to walk away. On his new Uninterrupted series, The Main Thing, he said: “It still feels like the first time I picked up a ball.” His performance supports that. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, good enough for All-NBA Second Team honors.
Austin Reaves, his teammate, described LeBron’s drive on The Old Man and the Three: “He probably could have retired six years ago, and people would still say the same thing. He just loves the grind.”
While James remains productive, the Lakers’ moves suggest a new direction. Doncic has a long-term extension, and Deandre Ayton joins a roster geared toward youth. If James plays beyond this season, it may not be in Los Angeles. Each game this year could feel like a farewell-or the setup for one last run.
Read the full article here
