LeBron James’ Thoughts on NBA Retirement
LeBron James has been a cornerstone of the NBA for over twenty years, and the prospect of retirement is increasingly on the horizon.
The basketball icon was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, moving to the Miami Heat in 2010 and returning to the Cavaliers in 2014, where he led the franchise to its inaugural NBA Championship in 2016. In 2018, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, inking a two-year, $97.1 million deal in 2022.
James, who has been married to Savannah James since 2013, has much to anticipate upon deciding to hang up his jersey. He aspires to share the hardwood with his eldest son, Bronny James, before concluding his career. He also has a son, Bryce Maximus, and a daughter, Zhuri, with Savannah.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” LeBron told ESPN in 2023. “Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him… I’d love to have the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. experience. That would be ideal, for sure. I’m just here waiting on him.”
Sharif O’Neal, son of Shaquille O’Neal, and Olympia, daughter of Serena Williams, are showing they have inherited their parents’ athletic talents. Sharif transferred to Louisiana State University from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020, stating he preferred the university where people “didn’t really talk about” his father.
Scroll down for LeBron’s most insightful reflections on retirement from the NBA:
May 2023
Following the Lakers’ defeat against the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, LeBron remarked in a press conference that he hadn’t “begun to even think about next year” when asked about the possibility of retirement.
“We had a great run, but we fell short of our objective, which is to win championships,” he stated. “That’s the legacy of this franchise, which is why it’s disappointing.”
He added, “I don’t like to label it a successful year because my focus is solely on winning championships at this stage of my career. A conference appearance doesn’t excite me. I’ve experienced it numerous times. It’s not fulfilling to miss the finals.”
LeBron hinted at his uncertain athletic future: “We’ll see what unfolds, but I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I’ve got plenty to contemplate, particularly regarding my future in basketball.”
May 2023
In response to a fan page’s tribute to his career, LeBron conveyed a cryptic message that the world should “appreciate him while he’s still here,” implying that “more greatness” is “on the way.”
He shared the message via his Instagram Story, adding lyrics from Jay-Z’s “What More Can I Say”: “I was supposed to be number one on everybody’s list. Let’s see what occurs when I’m no longer around.”
This post led fans to speculate that retirement was at least on LeBron’s mind.
July 2023
During the 2023 ESPYs, LeBron received an accolade for surpassing the NBA’s all-time scoring record, averaging 28.9 points per game, alongside 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the season.
In his speech, he addressed speculation surrounding his potential retirement.
“I’m not concerned about accumulating more points or my capabilities on the court,” LeBron shared. “The fundamental question for me is, ‘Can I continue playing this game without compromise?’ The day I can’t give my all is the day I call it quits. Fortunately for you, that day isn’t today.”
February 2024
Despite reports that the Golden State Warriors showed interest in trading for LeBron at the league’s deadline, he affirmed at an All-Star Game press conference his desire to finish his career with the Lakers.
LeBron remarked, “I haven’t planned out how many seasons I have left,” and added, “I know it’s limited… I’m a Laker and I’m content, having enjoyed my six-year tenure with the team. I hope it remains so. But I cannot predict how long it will be or which uniform I’ll wear in the future. Hopefully, it’s with the Lakers, a great organization filled with many legends. Yet, we shall see.”
April 2025
Following a shocking first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, James expressed uncertainty about his future.
When asked about how long he envisions continuing to play post the Game 5 loss, he responded, “I don’t know.”
“I don’t have a definitive answer,” he told reporters. “It’s something I’ll discuss with my family, my wife, and my support group, and contemplate. I need to have a conversation with myself regarding how much longer I want to play. Honestly, I don’t have that answer right now, so we’ll see.”
When queried about the improvements the Lakers might need during the offseason, James remained similarly vague.
“It’s a business,” he stated. “You can’t predict what the roster will look like next year beyond the players under contract. Honestly, I have a lot to consider about my own future. So, I have no idea what the roster will look like. I’m uncertain where I stand at this moment.”
