The Los Angeles Lakers have a big first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, but heading into this clash, expectations aren’t high for the Lakers. That’s because the team will be without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for most, if not all, of this series, meaning it’s going to be up to the legendary LeBron James to find a way to lead this team forward.
There are no doubts about James’ abilities, even at the ripe age of 41, but the rest of L.A.’s roster is lacking. Once the offseason eventually arrives, big questions about James’ future are going to bubble to the surface, with retirement being one of his options. When asked about James, though, NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed that he doesn’t think the league’s all-time leading scorer is going to call it a career this offseason.
Adam Silver Doesn’t Think LeBron James is Going to Retire Just Yet
James is in uncharted territory when it comes to the NBA at this stage of the game. Even in his 23rd year in the league, James is still playing at an incredibly high level for the Lakers. While his fit alongside Doncic and Reaves hasn’t always been smooth, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.5% from the field.
When you reach this point in your career, though, retirement is always a consideration. James hasn’t shown many signs of decline, and he’s been relatively murky when discussing his future in the league, but simply because he’s set to enter his age-42 season next year, riding off into the sunset has to be in consideration for him.
Right now, James is focused on doing whatever he can to lead L.A. past Houston, but at some point, he’s going to have to answer these big questions. Silver doesn’t have any insight as to what James is thinking, but based on what he knows about the situation, he thinks LeBron will play for at least one more year in the 2026-27 campaign.
“I want LeBron to play as long as he actually wants to play,” Silver said on “The Carton Show on WFAN.” “He’s not just a 41-year-old player in the league with the most points ever and the most in so many different categories, but he’s still playing at an incredibly high level. It’s not like he’s just sort of out there … I haven’t talked to him since the season ended. I have every indication that he plans to keep playing next season.”
LeBron James May Not Return to the Lakers if He Puts Off Retirement
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Retirement has never seemed to be the most likely outcome for James this upcoming offseason, especially as he appears set to hit the open market and test free agency. With that being said, if James does decide to keep playing basketball, there’s a very good chance that he won’t be doing so with the Lakers.
James would still have to decline his $53 million play option in order to hit free agency, but that’s a decision he doesn’t have to worry about for the time being. Right now, James is looking to keep the Lakers alive in the playoffs long enough for either Doncic or Reaves to return. Game 1 of this series is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
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