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Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif
Being now 40 years old, LeBron James is at a crossroads. Will he decide to continue playing, or has the time come to hang it up? The well-informed Shams Charania recently took stock of the Lakers superstar’s situation.
The fifth ring will have to wait… assuming he ever gets it, which is by no means guaranteed. For LeBron James is losing his race against time, his chances of winning one last championship dwindling with each passing season. Now, 2024-25 has turned to (further) disappointment following the Lakers’ elimination in the first round.
In fact, the Chosen One’s performances were divisive during this series. His real defensive efforts can be highlighted, but his detractors point to his poor Games 2 and 4. At 40, should the four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer persist? That’s the big question on the eve of a very important off-season for the future of the Purple and Gold.
LeBron’s return in 2025-26 all but confirmed
Factually, LBJ still looks capable of playing at least one more season as he averaged nearly 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists this year. So it’s a safe bet that he won’t be putting his jersey away in the locker room this summer, a theory confirmed by Shams Charania. The insider gave an update on the matter in Pat McAfee’s podcast :
There’s no expectation for LeBron James to retire. My understanding is that he will at least play another NBA season. Think about next year, 2025-26, it’ll be year 23, that’ll set a record. Year 23 for No. 23. The All-Star game is in Los Angeles, so he could potentially be playing in Los Angeles. There are a lot of stars that would align for next season if that’s what LeBron James decides.
He’d be 41 years old in December, he’s 40 right now. The expectation is that he’s going to be playing at least another season.
Clearly, we’re not done with the King yet, which is hardly surprising given how he’s evolving on the floor. Another variable weighing in the balance is the possible NBA arrival of his second son Bryce in 2026:
Does the Bryce James factor play into it at all? His son is going to potentially be draft-eligible in 2026 next year. If he feels at some point next year that Bryce James might be an NBA player, does he extend that window? I think that’s the only potential caveat you’d think of out there that can keep LeBron James even longer than one more year.
