After missing the Los Angeles Lakers’ first 14 games of this season due to sciatica, LeBron James made his season debut last Tuesday against the Utah Jazz. In two games back, he has looked a bit rusty and out of shape at times, but his return has clearly given the Lakers’ offense, which needs help in a couple of areas, a boost.
This is James’ 23rd season in the NBA, which is a new league record, and despite the Lakers’ stellar 12-4 record, there continues to be plenty of speculation that this could be his swan song in a Purple and Gold uniform. He’s in the final year of his contract, and it is currently anyone’s guess what he will do beyond this season.
Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, sources close to James insist that the 40-year-old superstar doesn’t know if he will retire in 2026.
“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,” McMenamin wrote.
Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists a game and was named to both the All-Star game and the All-NBA First Team. For him to be eligible for a 22nd straight All-NBA nod this season, he will have to end up playing in at least 65 games, which means he will have to appear in 63 of L.A.’s 66 remaining games.
But right now, it appears that winning a fifth NBA championship is James’ main goal, and perhaps his chances of getting another ring, as well as his level of play and overall health, will dictate how much longer he will play.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Report: Sources say LeBron James is undecided on when he will retire
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
