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LeBron James is heading into his 23rd NBA season, and while speculation about his future continues to grow, one league executive believes his retirement could come sooner rather than later.
The Lakers star is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, his first time hitting the market since 2018.
An NBA executive says James will only call it quits after the 2025-26 season under one specific condition.
“I think LeBron plays one or two more seasons unless the Lakers win it all next year,” the executive said, via Lakers Daily.. “Bryce [James] will be eligible for the 2026 draft. There are some whispers that LeBron wants to play with him too. We’ll see what happens, but I just can’t see LeBron retiring after next season. He’s still too good of a player to just walk away. Unless there’s a huge drop-off in his production or the Lakers win the championship, I think LeBron is playing in 2026-27.”
The 40-year-old has shown no major signs of decline.
Last season, he appeared in 70 games and averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from deep. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting.
Still, his long-term plans remain a mystery.
James “has been linked to potentially playing in other leagues”, Brian Windhorst noted on his Hoop Collective podcast that and added he “doesn’t see James slowing down, barring injury.”
Lebron James has been linked to playing in other leagues; per @WindhorstESPN
“I keep hearing people like, this might be the last year, this might be the last year. Look, he’s been linked to potentially playing in other leagues. I don’t know, maybe. But if he stays healthy, I do… pic.twitter.com/iNE1BDjf1Y
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) September 16, 2025
READ MORE: Tracy McGrady Says Triangle Offense Would Have Cemented LeBron James as the GOAT
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