For the first time in LeBron James’ career, retirement feels like a very real possibility.
He is currently in the last year of his Lakers contract, and he didn’t ask for an extension, which he’s always
received before entering the final year of his deal.
LeBron hasn’t flat-out stated he’d play next year or that this is his last, making his NBA future feel all the more murky.
That ambiguity seems to be because LeBron himself doesn’t know what’s next for him. According to a recent piece by Dave McMenamin of ESPN, sources close to LeBron say he is undecided about whether this will be his final season.
At the same time, if James believes this could be his last season — something that sources close to James have insisted that he remains undecided about — he might feel even more responsibility to suit up for every game on what would then be a retirement tour.
Ending for legends can be messy.
We saw Michael Jordan retire three times before truly calling it quits. Chris Paul hinted that this season would be his last, then left the door open that he’d play more, before ultimately announcing his retirement on Nov. 22. Kobe Bryant made his retirement announcement 15 games into his final year.
So, it shouldn’t be a shock that LeBron could be wrestling with this. Making this decision might be the toughest one he’s ever made. At age 40 and soon to be 41, he won’t be able to pull an MJ and leave, then come back soon after. Once he is done, that is it. Whenever he says it, that will be essentially set in stone.
What also makes this hard is that he’s still playing at a very high level for a good team. The Lakers are currently the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and LeBron is still a star and a starter. Can he walk away now as a title window with Luka Dončić is opening?
These are the things LeBron has to ponder as he decides if there will be a Year 24. He’s done it all and has been so good that he’ll be able to walk away from the game before his game leaves him.
He just needs to decide when that moment will be. And perhaps, we are already in that scenario and don’t know it yet.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
