Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James can make NBA history should he decide to play at least one more season in the league. No one player has suited up in more than 22 seasons in the league, and the 40-year-old just wrapped up his 22nd season.
Plus, if his 2024-25 campaign was any indication, James still has what it takes to play at a very high level in the league. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the regular season and was one of Los Angeles’ best players in its series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Despite the fact that James can set another NBA record by returning for the 2025-26 season, he recently implied that his future in the league is still up in the air and said he hasn’t talked to his family about it just yet.
“Haven’t had the conversation with the family yet as far as me going forward or whatever the case may be, but we’ll see what happens,” James said.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier in the month that the expectation is for James to not retire from the NBA in the immediate future and play at least one more season in the league.
James’ 22nd season came to an end in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, as his Lakers looked outmatched against a Timberwolves team led by star Anthony Edwards. Los Angeles lost the best-of-seven series in five games, but that seemingly wasn’t the fault of James, who put up gaudy numbers against Minnesota.
While Los Angeles came up well short of another title, it could perhaps contend for a title in the 2026 NBA Playoffs should James return to the team, particularly if the squad adds a dependable and productive big man in the offseason.
The Lakers got bullied on the interior by bigger players at times against Minnesota, and their decision to nix their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams around the trade deadline was fresh in the minds of some fans during the series, especially since youngster Dalton Knecht hardly saw the floor against the Timberwolves.
Hopefully, James recognizes the Lakers’ opportunity to potentially contend next season and sticks around to play with newcomer Luka Doncic for at least one more campaign.
