After a season filled with anticipation and effort, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers saw their playoff hopes dashed in a crushing (4-1) first-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite entering the postseason with a solid (50-32) record and high hopes of advancing deep into the playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated early, leaving fans stunned and speculation swirling around James’ future.
At 40 years old, and with retirement rumors intensifying, the NBA icon has finally opened up about what lies ahead.
LeBron James’ Plans for This Offseason
In the latest episode of his podcast “Mind the Game,” co-hosted with NBA legend Steve Nash, James broke his silence and addressed the chatter surrounding his future. He revealed that his primary focus this offseason will be on recovery — both physical and personal.
“Obviously, number one is to get back healthy. I’ll be able to do some small stuff within the next week or two, just to kind of get the mobility back into the knee,” said James during the podcast.
By getting healthy, James referred specifically to the Grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his left knee, which he sustained during the fourth quarter of Game 5 after he collided with the Timberwolves’ Donte DiVincenzo. Moreover, James also made it clear that this was the first knee injury in his career, and he wouldn’t have been able to play further given the distress he was in.
James emphasized that this summer, his health is not just about rehab and training, but also about balance. The superstar revealed he plans to dedicate more time to his family, a rare glimpse into the personal priorities of one of basketball’s most driven athletes.
“My youngest son is headed off to college soon, so it’s another bird off the nest. Another emotional moment coming up with Bryce going off to Tucson to be an Arizona Wildcat. But my daughter is heavily in volleyball, so I’ll be in a lot of gyms this summer as she’s with her travel league team out in California. They go all over, they’ve been to Reno, Nevada. They’re going to Las Vegas. They play all over California,” James said.
“So, just spending a lot of time with her, and then just take some vacation time with the family. Some of the time that you lose when you’re in an 8-9 month season. And see what the next journey looks like. Haven’t had the conversation with the family yet as far as me going forward or whatever the case may be. We’ll see what happens.”
While the Lakers’ playoff exit was disappointing, James’ individual performance remains elite. He averaged 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in the playoffs, giving his best to keep the team in contention.
Whether he returns in purple and gold next season or decides to hang up his jersey, his legacy is already cemented. But for now, he is focused on healing — body, mind, and heart.
James’ Comment on His Retirement
Despite being 40 years old, James continues to defy the limits of age in professional sports. This season, he became just the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double at age 40, proving that he still has elite-level production left in the tank.
So when reporters asked James about his retirement plans following the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Timberwolves on April 30, it wasn’t surprising that he didn’t offer a clear answer. But with the competitive fire still burning inside him, James didn’t sound like a player ready to walk away from the game.
“I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to that. Something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife, and my support group, and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we’ll see,” said James.
During the regular season, James averaged an impressive 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game — numbers most players would dream of in their prime.
As speculation swirls about his future, one possibility stands out: a full season alongside Luka Dončić. If James does return next year in purple and gold, fans can expect him to help lead a legitimate title push, potentially giving Dončić his best chance yet at an NBA championship.