NBA World Bracing for LeBron James Retirement Announcement
Speculation over LeBron James' future has intensified as he enters his 23rd NBA season. The 40-year-old opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, marking the first time during his Los Angeles Lakers tenure that he didn't sign a multi-year extension when faced with the ability to do so.
That uncertainty sparked rumors that his time in Los Angeles could be nearing an end. Multiple teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, were reportedly linked to James in trade talks. However, those rumors have since been debunked, with The Athletic reporting that there have been no buyout or trade discussions between James and the Lakers.
While the Lakers' refusal to offer James an extension was considered a strong indicator that his time in LA is approaching its end, ESPN's Dave McMenamin confirmed the team did not offer James an extension because his camp didn't request it.
'Rich Paul told me there was no extension talk because we didn't ask for an extension," McMenamin reported. "We didn't approach the subject… Rich Paul's point to me was this wasn't a point of tension. 'It's not something that we were pursuing.''
That sentiment has led to growing belief around the league that James may not sign a new contract with LA because he is bracing for retirement following the 2025-26 NBA season, and McMenamin echoed this on Wednesday:
"I think we have to start thinking that this could be his last year in the league… I think you look at it like there's a very limited time left in his career. We already kinda knew that since he reached 20 years in the league, he has gone into every offseason contemplating retirement.'
On Thursday, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel added to this reporting, writing the following:
'Everyone knows that retirement is on the horizon for LeBron, and multiple agents, scouts, and rival team representatives shared with ClutchPoints that they believe James is gearing up to announce he will retire after the 2025–26 season.'
As first alluded to by McMenamin, and now corroborated by Siegel, the NBA world is bracing for James to soon announce this will be his final season in the league.
Should that be the case, James' 23rd season could be his farewell tour, and he will look to go out on a high note—chasing one final championship alongside Luka Doncic to close an iconic career.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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