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As LeBron James gets ready for his 23rd NBA season, speculation over retirement has only grown louder. But during his Nike “Forever King” tour in China, the 40-year-old Lakers star made it clear he’s not finished yet.
“I’m not hinting at anything,” James said on 360 With Speedy. “Obviously, I know I’m on the other side of the hump, for sure. Come on now, I’m not about to play another 23 years, that’s for damn sure, and I’m not about to play another 10. I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is, I’m not there yet.”
Much of the recent chatter came after fans noticed James spending more time on the golf course, sparking rumors that his new hobby meant the end was near. James was quick to clarify.
“Listen guys, every time I pick up something new, it does not mean retirement,” he explained. “It’s just something I want to do, just a little hobby. But retirement is coming, it is coming. It’s just not here just yet.”
Even with two decades of basketball behind him, James remains among the game’s elite. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51.3 percent shooting from the field. He also connected on nearly 37.6 percent of his threes, the fourth-best mark of his career, while appearing in 70 games. His performance earned him a sixth-place finish in MVP voting.
If James suits up for the 2025-26 campaign, it will mark his 23rd season, more than any player in NBA history. The only other to play as long is Hall of Famer Vince Carter, who logged 22 years. For James, the number 23 continues to hold meaning, from his jersey number, to his upcoming 23rd Nike sneaker, to this milestone season.
James knows the end is coming, but not quite yet. “I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is,” he said. “I’m not there yet.”
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