Chris Paul confirmed over the weekend that the 2025-26 season will probably be his closing yr within the NBA, however his longtime pal LeBron James hasn’t made that very same willpower. Sources near the Los Angeles Lakers star insist to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that James stays undecided on whether or not or not he’ll proceed his profession past this season.
Can LeBron James’ taking part in time present a touch?
McMenamin’s report comes inside a bigger story about James’ unimaginable streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA nods. If LeBron hopes to increase that record-setting streak to 22 seasons, he must seem in 63 of the Lakers’ remaining 66 video games.
As McMenamin factors out, if James knew this was his closing season, he might really feel obligated to not take any video games off — particularly on the street — so long as he’s wholesome. But when he thinks he’ll be again in 2026-27, a “farewell tour” wouldn’t be a consideration.
The Lakers have 11 back-to-backs between now and the top of the season, McMenamin notes, and whereas James has made a robust effort lately to go well with up for each ends of these back-to-back units, head coach J.J. Redick and the Lakers might take a extra cautious method this season, provided that LeBron will flip 41 in December and has missed time with sciatica this fall.
“I don’t assume an All-NBA look this yr goes to make or break his résumé,” Redick mentioned, including that he hasn’t spoken to James about making an attempt to increase that All-NBA streak.
Like Redick, agent Wealthy Paul mentioned he hasn’t talked to his longtime consumer in regards to the streak, however he doesn’t essentially view an All-NBA spot in 2026 as a high precedence both.
“Look, at 41 years of age, I hope he isn’t taking part in back-to-backs,” Paul advised McMenamin.
As McMenamin writes, crucial factor that James might do that season for his legacy could be to win a fifth championship, and the Lakers might resolve that managing his taking part in time over the course of the season offers them the very best likelihood to have him wholesome and at his finest through the postseason.
In fact, in addition to reaching the 65-game mark, James would additionally must proceed taking part in at an All-NBA degree to earn severe consideration for a twenty second berth. If he’s taking part in at that degree, no matter whether or not or not he seems in 65 video games, it could probably make him extra inclined to place off retirement for an additional yr.
James will earn about $52.6M this season within the closing yr of his contract with the Lakers and isn’t eligible to signal a contract extension earlier than subsequent July. Which means if he does resolve he needs to proceed taking part in in 2026-27, he’ll have to attend till he turns into an unrestricted free agent to signal his subsequent deal, both with Los Angeles or one other workforce.
