Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has not decided if he will extend his NBA career past the 2025-26 campaign, according to people familiar with his thinking who spoke with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James, 40, is in the midst of his 21st season and has earned an All-NBA selection every year since entering the league. Maintaining that streak would require him to appear in 63 of the Lakers’ remaining 66 games, the threshold set by the league’s 65-game rule for postseason awards.
Workload Under Review
The Lakers face 11 back-to-back sets the rest of the season. Head coach J.J. Redick indicated the club may handle the veteran’s minutes conservatively after the forward missed time earlier this fall with sciatica and approaches his 41st birthday in December.
“I don’t think an All-NBA appearance this year is going to make or break his résumé,” Redick said, noting he has not discussed the streak with James.
Agent Rich Paul echoed that sentiment. “Look, at 41 years of age, I hope he is not playing back-to-backs,” he told ESPN.
Championship Above All
Team officials believe carefully managing James’s workload could give Los Angeles its best chance at a deep postseason run and a potential fifth championship for the four-time Finals MVP.
Contract Situation
James is earning roughly $52.6 million in the final season of his current deal. Because he is ineligible for an extension until July, any decision to continue playing in 2026-27 would require entering unrestricted free agency, either to re-sign with the Lakers or join another club.
Chris Paul, a longtime friend of James, has already announced the 2025-26 season will be his last.
Source: Hoops Rumors
