LeBron James Talks Retirement and Says He’s ‘Not Going to Be Playing Much Longer’

Mar. 15, 2025

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to fans on Oct. 6, 2024.Photo:Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty

Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty

LeBron Jamesis sharing new thoughts about his eventual retirement from basketball.The NBA superstar — who turns 40 in December — spoke to reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after the Lakers' 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies about his eventual retirement from basketball.“I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest.” James said, perBleacher ReportandYahoo Sports.He continued, “One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not.“The Lakers star —who made historywith his sonBronnythis season as the first father-son duo to share an NBA court — said he doesn’t want to be in the league past his prime. “I’m not going to be that guy,” James told reporters.“I’m not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor.“LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 6, 2024.Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via GettyJames scored 35 points in Wednesday’s win over Memphis, along with 14 assists and 12 rebounds for the Lakers victory.Bronny, meanwhile, is playing with the Lakers' G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers. The rookie — whorecently went Instagram-officialwith girlfriendParker Whitfield— will shuttle between the Lakers teams, according toESPN.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Head coach JJ Redick said that the team had been planning to have Bronny play with the South Bay roster since they drafted him in April.“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. Rob and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that,” Redick said in October, according to theAssociated Press.On Oct. 30,Bronny scored his first official pointsin the NBA during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where his father is from and played for 11 seasons (in two separate stints).

LeBron Jamesis sharing new thoughts about his eventual retirement from basketball.

The NBA superstar — who turns 40 in December — spoke to reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after the Lakers' 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies about his eventual retirement from basketball.

“I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest.” James said, perBleacher ReportandYahoo Sports.

He continued, “One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not.”

The Lakers star —who made historywith his sonBronnythis season as the first father-son duo to share an NBA court — said he doesn’t want to be in the league past his prime. “I’m not going to be that guy,” James told reporters.

“I’m not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor.”

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 6, 2024.Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty

James scored 35 points in Wednesday’s win over Memphis, along with 14 assists and 12 rebounds for the Lakers victory.

Bronny, meanwhile, is playing with the Lakers' G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers. The rookie — whorecently went Instagram-officialwith girlfriendParker Whitfield— will shuttle between the Lakers teams, according toESPN.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Head coach JJ Redick said that the team had been planning to have Bronny play with the South Bay roster since they drafted him in April.

“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. Rob and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that,” Redick said in October, according to theAssociated Press.

On Oct. 30,Bronny scored his first official pointsin the NBA during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where his father is from and played for 11 seasons (in two separate stints).

source: people.com