LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent after finishing his record-breaking 23rd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers this year, and it remains to be seen if he’ll return to the team, join a new franchise, or retire from basketball.
Much has been made about James’ future and relationship with the Lakers over the past few years, but just a few days into the offseason, the 41-year-old himself has yet to show his cards on what his next move will be.
Reports hint at James either returning to Los Angeles on a smaller deal or going somewhere else to close out his career, as at this point, retirement feels like a far-back third option. However, according to a new article from The Athletic, the idea of retiring could actually cement James’ legacy more than continuing his career, and not for the reason many expect.
LeBron James Urged To Retire For Surprise Reason
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City,
Writing for The Athletic, Candace Buckner said that James should retire not because his performance on the court is falling off a cliff in his 23rd season, but rather the opposite.
When asked by the media multiple times this season, James has maintained that he’s winning in his battle against ‘Father Time,’ and according to Buckner, retiring after the Lakers’ 2025-26 campaign would prove himself victorious over what has beaten every other athlete in sports history.
“For so long, LeBron has picked out the biggest, baddest bully known to every athlete, Time, and made it bow to his whims. Even so, he should leave while he’s ahead and still capable of blowing our minds,” she wrote. “But before he makes us wonder why this balding, graying old dude in shorts can’t stop anyone on defense … or why he can’t finish at the rim through traffic … or why he can’t lead a franchise back to a championship despite being the recipient of one of the highest salaries in the league.”
Buckner discussed the back ends of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, and the careers of other all-time greats, but as is the case with James, he hasn’t tailed off like them.
“Brady, Jordan … LeBron. He belongs at their lunch table and deserves to feast where only the GOATs can graze,” Buckner added. “Yet, he can surpass them and accomplish the one thing that not even the game changers of sport could. All he has to do now is sit down.”
James is the all-time leading scorer, having won four championships and Finals MVPs, holds numerous NBA records, and has played more basketball than anyone else in the history of the sport. Still, amid his free agency, he’s a sought-after player who could bring a lot to a team.
However, after his illustrious career, as Buckner wrote, there’s only one more thing to accomplish, and that’s beating Father Time.
“But if he wants to become the first superstar athlete to defeat Father Time, then James should get out now,” Buckner finished with. “This isn’t waving the white flag, but rather realizing that Time shouldn’t be tempted.”
Stephen A. Smith Talks LeBron Retirement Amid Lakers Drama
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
James’ future with the Lakers remains up in the air, but after a few reports from The Athletic and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, his time in Los Angeles is up in the air more than ever before.
Along with a few others, this season reporting about dysfunction inside the Lakers’ locker room, McMenamin detailed some of the turbulence between James and the franchise this season, only putting his future with the team he’s spent the last eight seasons with in further question.
Still, James’ plans remain unknown, and while it appears retirement is third on his list of options this summer, like Buckner, Stephen A. Smith isn’t ruling it out either.
“The greatness is unquestioned. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of basketball. They keep saying he’s got nothing else to prove! So if you got nothing else to prove and you know the Lakers ain’t winning a (expletive) thing in the foreseeable future because of OKC, SAS, and MIN ain’t going nowhere,” Smith said on a recent First Take show. “You got nothing else to prove. Retire! Just retire. That is an option.”
James’ future, whether that includes retirement, heading back to the Lakers, or joining a new team, will likely be the leading topic of conversation throughout the NBA offseason and until he makes a final decision.
Though retiring doesn’t feel likely, at age 41, it is certainly on the table, and amid the growing drama with him and the Lakers, going out relatively on top, at least over Father Time, isn’t the craziest thing in the world.
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