With questions swirling about LeBron James’ future, and rumors of his potential retirement running wild, NBA insider Shams Charania appears confident in his prediction about the return of “The King.”
Will LeBron James Play in 2025-2025?
James, a 22-year NBA veteran, expressed uncertainty about retirement after the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
James scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Lakers lost 103-96, falling in five games to Anthony Edwards and the young Timberwolves.
Lebron on how much longer he'll play:
"I don't have an answer to that. Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group, have conversations with myself on how long I want to continue to play. We'll see." pic.twitter.com/3s0yiVA0fg
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
When asked how much longer he plans to play, James told reporters:
“I don’t have an answer to that. Something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group, have conversations with myself on how long I want to continue to play. We’ll see.”
James has played 1,562 career regular-season games — by far the most among active players and second on the all-time list. If he appears in 50 more, he’ll pass Robert Parish’s all-time record of 1,611 games. He also holds the record for most career playoff games, with 292.
Shams Charania Weighs in on James’ Future
Charania shared his insight into James’ potential next step.
“There’s no expectation for LeBron James to retire,” Charania said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“My understanding is that he will play at least another season.”
.@ShamsCharania says LeBron James is expected to play "at least another NBA season".
"[Bryce James] is gonna be potentially draft eligible in 2026 … [LeBron's] got a 54-million dollar player option … He probably opts into that." đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/IrdvaCaRms
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA)
Charania pointed to several reasons for a likely return. James holds a player option with the Lakers, whom he joined in 2018, for one year and $52 million. He could opt in or test the free agent market.
The 2025-26 season would be his 23rd, matching his jersey number. The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles, where James lives and plays — and he’s been an All-Star every season since 2004-05.
Charania also noted the growing possibility of James extending his career to play alongside his younger son, Bryce. In 2024, James made history by sharing the court with his eldest son, Bronny James, after the Lakers drafted him, marking the first time a father-son duo had played in an NBA game.
Bryce has committed to the University of Arizona for the 2025-26 season and could be draft-eligible by 2026.
One complication, Charania added, may be James’ recent shift to playing center. After the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka DonÄŤić, James logged heavy minutes at the five during the playoffs. That workload may be challenging to sustain for a player who turns 41 in December.
All eyes now turn to LeBron’s next move — and NBA fans are hoping Charania is right once again.