Overview

• James said on the 360 With Speedy podcast that he is “on the other side of the hump” and “retirement is coming,” while stressing it is not happening now.
• He enters his 23rd NBA season with the Lakers, set to become the first player to reach 23 seasons once he takes the floor.
• After exercising a $52.6 million option, he is playing 2025–26 on an expiring deal and would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
• He posted All‑NBA caliber production last season, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said his on‑court play does not suggest someone near retirement.
• The conversation around timing includes legacy factors such as having already played alongside his son Bronny, the NBA’s first father‑son duo.