After a tough first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James isn’t rushing into decisions about his future in the NBA.
The Lakers star, who just wrapped up his 22nd season, says he needs time to think about whether he’ll return for another run.
“I really don’t know,” LeBron admitted when asked about playing a 23rd season.
“That’s something I’ll sit down and talk about with my wife, my family, and my support circle.
I need to have an honest conversation with myself too—just figure out how much longer I want to keep doing this.”
A Season of Milestones—But Not the One He Wanted
Even at age 40—he celebrated his birthday on December 30—LeBron delivered an impressive stat line: 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
Along the way, he added new accomplishments to an already historic career.
In March, he became the first NBA player to hit 50,000 career points, further cementing his place at the top of the league’s all-time scoring list.
In February, he also joined elite company, becoming only the second player ever (after Michael Jordan) to drop 40 points in a game at age 40, scoring 42 in a win against the Warriors.
A Special Highlight: Playing with His Son Bronny
For all the stats and accolades, LeBron says the most meaningful moment of the season was sharing the court with his son, Bronny James.
When the Lakers drafted Bronny last year, it paved the way for them to make history as the NBA’s first father-son duo to play in a regular season game.
“That’s number one, without question,” LeBron said.
“Getting to play the game I love alongside my son made this year one of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my life.”
While Bronny spent most of the year in the G League, he had brief appearances with the Lakers, and LeBron was visibly proud of his growth—from Summer League all the way to the main stage.
New Talent, New Coach, and New Challenges
The season also saw some big changes, including the February addition of Luka Dončić, the Slovenian phenom who helped take the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals the previous year.
LeBron was excited by the move, calling Dončić a “generational talent,” but admitted the team may not have had enough time to fully gel.
“It was energizing, for sure,” he said.
“But meshing as a team takes time, and we didn’t have much of that.”
LeBron also gave props to rookie head coach JJ Redick.
Coaching the Lakers comes with sky-high pressure, and LeBron acknowledged the unique challenge Redick faced. “He handled it really well,” he said.
Looking Ahead: “It’s a Business”
As for what the Lakers will look like next season—or whether he’ll even be part of it—LeBron kept things vague. “You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “This is a business, and there are a lot of moving parts. Right now, I honestly don’t know where I stand.”
Is LeBron the GOAT?
With all the records and longevity, many continue to debate where LeBron ranks among the greatest athletes of all time—not just in basketball, but across all sports. That conversation isn’t going away anytime soon.
What Comes Next?
As fans wait to see whether LeBron returns for a 23rd season, one thing is clear: his influence on and off the court is as strong as ever.
Whether or not he laces up again, the legacy is already legendary.