Overview
- The Lakers trail the Thunder 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, putting James one loss from the offseason with his deal set to expire.
- He will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, and retirement remains a real possibility according to people around him.
- The Athletic has reported he does not want a farewell tour and prefers to step away without much fanfare if he retires.
- If he keeps playing, league chatter points to the Cavaliers or Warriors as options, though luxury-tax constraints could require him to take less money.
- At age 41 he still averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, and he has said he could play longer but does not plan to extend his career that far.