Report: Current expectation is LeBron will remain with Lakers through ‘at least’ 2025-26 season

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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been open about the fact that he is nearing the end of his time in the NBA for a while now. When factoring in James’ age along with his longevity in the league, it’s clear that he is in the twilight of his career.

However, a report from Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus should have Lakers fans optimistic that James isn’t going to retire from the NBA imminently. According to Pincus, the current expectation is James will stick around with the storied franchise through the 2025-26 campaign at the very least.

“While the 40-year-old has hinted that retirement has crossed his mind, the current expectation is he’ll stay at least another year with the Lakers,” Pincus wrote.

James recently discussed whether L.A.’s deal for star guard Luka Doncic could delay his retirement plans. He shared that having Doncic on board has given him “energy” but stopped short of saying that his new teammate is certainly going to extend his career.

The notion that James will spend at least one full season playing alongside Doncic on the Lakers before he decides to call it quits makes a lot of sense as he’s still seeking his fifth NBA title and is two rings away from tying Chicago Bulls legend Micahel Jordan’s six.

Doncic might just be the level of player James needs in order for him to win at least one more championship before his career comes to a close. The guard led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in more than 10 years in 2024 with fellow guard Kyrie Irving as his running mate.

The Lakers will try to add to their collection of titles and tie the Boston Celtics for the most championships of any franchise in NBA history at some point during James and Doncic’s time together.

If its record this season is any indication, Los Angeles may have a chance to advance deep into the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers hold the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 32-20 and recently enjoyed a six-game winning streak.

After Doncic, James and the Lakers had a week off from basketball thanks to the All-Star break, the team is set to face off against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.