LeBron James remains unsure whether his historic 23rd NBA season will be his last, and he’s not rushing to a decision.
Inglewood, Calif.—After arriving at the Intuit Dome to participate in his 21st All-Star Game, the four-time champion and NBA icon said he hasn’t determined if this season will mark his farewell to the court. “When I know, you guys will know,” James told reporters Sunday. “I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.”
Despite a tearful moment during a Cleveland Cavaliers tribute last month, James reaffirmed that he’s not on a farewell tour with the Lakers. He has repeatedly emphasized savoring the season’s moments with his teammates, including his 21-year-old son, Bronny.
During the All-Star press conference, James answered questions about his future with the same cautious stance he’s held for months, while expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. The dynamic trio was set to play on the “Stripes” team of American All-Stars, but Curry’s knee injury kept him from the lineup, though he still attended.
“It's always an honor to see those guys,” James said. “We’ve shared an unbelievable journey—regular-season battles, Finals runs, postseason clashes, and even Olympics two summers ago. When it comes to me, Steph, and KD, we’ll be intertwined for the rest of our careers, for sure.”
As for the duration of his career, James reiterated that no final decision has been made and that his focus remains on the Lakers’ final 28 regular-season games, who are contending for a Western Conference playoff spot despite significant injury hurdles. He could become a free agent this summer, yet he insists that future plans won’t distort his current focus.
“It has nothing to do with that,” James said. “Same motivation, same mindset. We’ve passed the marathon, and now the sprint is about to begin.”
Earlier, James hinted at a post-playing career that could include NBA ownership, noting he has several avenues—ownership being one of them—while suggesting he’ll continue exploring other ventures that might engage and motivate him beyond his playing days. For now, his attention is fully on the season’s remaining games.
Before Sunday’s game, James explained that the league has allowed him to skip All-Star Saturday activities in recent years. He previously announced plans to spend the extra downtime at home to recover from a season marked by health issues, including a sciatica flare that sidelined him for the Lakers’ first 14 games. Nevertheless, he still marked a milestone Thursday by becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
Even as injuries have limited him, James remains a premier All-Star alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, though the Lakers’ famed trio has shared the floor only 10 times this season due to injuries to all three players.
“It's hard to forecast our full potential,” James reflected. “We’ve shown great basketball at times, and other times we’ve looked frankly unsightly. The key is health—how many minutes we can play, and how much chemistry we can build as we head into this sprint.”
James was still selected for another All-Star appearance, despite missing last year’s game, ending a 20-year streak of All-Star appearances. Returning to a game that has evolved into a round-robin format featuring two American teams and a World team, James remains fond of the traditional East–West setup, even as the league experiments with new formats.
“East–West is a tradition,” James noted. “It’s worked well, and I appreciate the format. They’re trying something new. The World is growing, and I’m curious how it will fit alongside the U.S. model.”
Would you like to see LeBron pursue ownership or another path after he retires, or should he focus solely on maximizing this season with the Lakers? Share your take on his lingering questions about the end of his legendary career.
