LeBron James’s retirement has been a hot topic for years. The 40-year-old, future Hall of Famer has seemingly defied Father Time, extending his illustrious career over two decades. However, another Los Angeles Lakers legend, Robert Horry, predicts James’s playing days are coming to a close very soon, leaving fans to wonder if the end of an era is truly upon us.
How Many More Seasons Does Robert Horry Think LeBron James Has Left?
Horry appeared on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” on Oct. 29, where former player and co-host Chandler Parsons asked the seven-time NBA champion if any current players could match his number of rings. Horry laughed and said, “I don’t think so.”
LeBron, Steph & Draymond have 4 rings, but they will NOT catch @RKHorry‘s 7 😅
“OKC is the only team that can start a dynasty… they remind me of the Bulls with Jordan, Pippen, Kukoč and Rodman.”@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/a6ycuO0u0S
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) October 29, 2025
Toward the end of his answer, Horry mentioned he thinks James has “two more years left in him.” Even if the superstar wins two more championships with the Lakers, he would still fall one short of Horry’s seven. So why might Horry believe James’s retirement is coming so soon?
Injuries likely play a significant role in that prediction. While James has been remarkably durable for most of his career, he will miss the first three to four weeks of this season with sciatica on his right side. His absence on opening night, Oct. 22, 2025, marked the first time in 23 years that James did not play. This statistic emphasizes just how long the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft has dominated the league.
Additionally, the Lakers made a shocking move at the trade deadline last season, acquiring Luka Dončić in exchange for Anthony Davis. This move signaled that Los Angeles was looking toward the future, knowing James’s retirement could be on the horizon. At 26 years old, the team can build around Dončić for the present and the future, something it could not do with the 32-year-old Davis.
Can James Win Another Ring This Season?
Despite his age, Los Angeles has leaned on James for heavy playing time, as he has averaged over 34 minutes per game over the last three campaigns. The Lakers cannot afford to bring James back early and risk re-injury, but he is not the only key contributor to get hit with the injury bug.
Due to knee and finger injuries, Dončić remains sidelined for at least one week. Meanwhile, guard Gabe Vincent is expected to miss two to four weeks after spraining his ankle. This situation pressures Austin Reaves to carry a heavy playmaking and scoring load. So far, he has responded well to the challenge, collecting a career-high 51 points in a win against the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers’ talented trio of James, Dončić, and Reaves has what it takes to compete for a championship. However, they need to stay healthy to do it, and at this stage of James’s career, that is far from a certainty.