The Los Angeles Lakers’ early playoff exit has once again placed LeBron James’ NBA future under a spotlight.
After falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, speculation has surged around whether the 40-year-old superstar has played his final game, or whether something more personal could keep him going.
LeBron James could delay his retirement
James, who has now completed his 21st NBA season, averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this year.
Despite showing no clear signs of slowing down, questions about retirement are only growing louder.
And while his dream of playing alongside his eldest son, Bronny, remains alive, a new twist has emerged, Bryce James, his youngest basketball-playing son, may now be part of LeBron’s long-term vision.
When asked directly about his plans following the Game 5 loss, LeBron said, “I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to that. Something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife, and my support group, and kind of just talk through it and see what happens.”
He added, “Just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we’ll see.”
Bryce James, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Sierra Canyon High School, recently committed to Arizona.
He’s currently ranked as the No. 257 overall prospect in the nation, but his name carries a certain weight.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, LeBron could stick around until at least the 2026-27 season when Bryce becomes eligible for the NBA.
James holds a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, which he must decide on by June 29.
While his future with the Lakers remains uncertain, James didn’t sound committed either way.
“It’s a business,” he said.
“You don’t know what the roster will look like next year… I got a lot to think about myself.”
Asked to clarify whether he meant leaving the Lakers or stepping away entirely, James told ESPN, “Just continuing to play, I don’t know where I’m at. That’s what that is. Not coming back to play here. Just playing, period.”
If LeBron chooses to extend his career long enough to share the court with Bryce, it would mark a nearly unprecedented father-son legacy in sports.
Whether that historic moment comes in purple and gold, or somewhere else, remains to be seen.
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