LeBron James’ 2025-26 season could be the last time he is seen on NBA courts. The legend will turn 41 on December 30 and recognizes that the farewell is near despite the fact that his performance has not suffered in terms of numbers despite the passage of time. Last season he still played 70 games with averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists, lower in the first statistic compared to his entire career but superior in the other two.
Next season in the NBA, the Lakers forward will reach 23, a symbolic number in the basketball universe and the one he wears on his jersey. No one in history has had such a long career, let alone with such numbers. So far, LeBron is tied with Vince Carter, who played 22. The end is near. “I know I’m on the other side of the hurdle. I’m not going to play another 23 years, that’s for sure. And I’m not going to play another 10″, he said in a chat on the podcast ‘360 With Speedy’.
James acknowledges that he is “preparing for the end. Retirement is coming, but I’m not there yet”. The forward has more and more interests off the court. He makes investments, is a great philanthropist, is passionate about golf – many NBA players joke about his style – loves yoga… “But just because I start something new doesn’t mean I’m retiring,” he says.
I know I’m on the other side of the hurdle. I’m not going to play another 23 years, that’s for sure. And I’m not going to play another 10
This year, LeBron exercised his player option to stay with the Lakers for another year for $52.6 million. But there will be extraordinary situations: it will be the first time he has played in the NBA with an expiring contract and he will not be the mainstay of his team. The former, with normal players, often means a trade, although in his case it will be difficult to fit his salary and he is a very veteran player. In the latter, he will have to be in the shadow of Luka Doncic, the cornerstone of the Los Angeles franchise’s project.
Only comparable to Jordan
LeBron’s career is only comparable to that of Michael Jordan. The two best players of all time. The order is up to each person’s taste. Selected with the number 1 pick in the 2003 draft, James has achieved everything: four championship rings (two with the Heat, one with the Cavaliers and a fourth with the Lakers in the Disney bubble due to COVID), he has won four finals MVPs, has been selected 21 times for the All-Star Game, is the all-time leading scorer (42,184 points), no one has played more minutes than him (59,041), only Robert Parish has accumulated more games (he is 49 short), he has won Olympic golds with the United States…
He has even fulfilled the dream of playing on the same team with Bronny, being the first father and son pair to do so in the NBA. To do so with Bryce, his younger son, he will have to be active for two more seasons, as the youngster will be eligible in the 2026 draft.
It seems too much, but what is time when we talk about LeBron? Now that the ‘King James’ era is coming to an end, every game, every play, should be enjoyed as if it were the last. The 2025-26 season could be his last dance.
Read the full article here
