Los Angeles, California — LeBron James continues to captivate the basketball world, but as he recently completed his 22nd NBA season, questions linger about his future on the court. The Los Angeles Lakers faced a disappointing exit in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking a notable point in James’s storied career. He now stands alongside Vince Carter as the only players in NBA history to play for this length of time, and if he returns for another season, he could break the record for the most seasons played, reaching 23.
When pressed about his plans for the next season, James remained noncommittal. “I don’t have an answer to that yet. I’ll talk with my wife, family, and support team to reflect on my future,” he said in a recent interview. This approach is not new; he voiced similar uncertainties after the Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, noting he had “a lot to think about” concerning his basketball career.
Despite his potential player option worth over $52 million for the 2025-26 season, the question looms: what more does James aim to achieve in the league? While the four-time champion has already etched his name in history with a plethora of records, including being the all-time leading scorer, many wonder if he will decide to pursue a fifth championship or if he is content with his legacy.
This past season marked a significant milestone for James as he shared the court with his son, Bronny James, who the Lakers selected with the 55th overall pick last June. His younger son, Bryce, is set to begin his freshman year at the University of Arizona and will be eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. If LeBron envisions playing alongside Bryce, he must extend his career through at least the next two seasons.
The Lakers are working to bolster their roster to support James in his quest for another title. The midseason acquisition of Luka Dončić was a strategic move aimed at alleviating some of James’s on-court burden, allowing him to conserve energy throughout the long season. Additionally, the emergence of Austin Reaves could further support this goal, offering a fresh dimension to the Lakers’ gameplay.
Los Angeles possesses valuable draft assets and could explore free agency options, particularly if James is willing to forego some financial gain to attract further talent. With shrewd management and savvy offseason moves, the Lakers could replicate the success they experienced in 2019 when they built a championship-caliber team.
Yet, after two decades in the league, the list of unaccomplished feats for James grows shorter. Next year, he could potentially surpass Robert Parish’s record for the most regular-season games played if he suits up for just 50 contests. With an impressive history of achievements, including four MVP awards and multiple championships, the conversation around his eventual retirement becomes more pressing with each passing year.
As the Lakers navigate their offseason strategy, they can only hope that James’s journey in the NBA is not over just yet.