Obviously, James -- who has a player option worth more than $52 million for the 2025-26 season-- returned for the 2023-24 season. He is also expected to return for the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN.

One day after the Lakers were eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, ESPN's Shams Charania reported James is expected to play "at least another NBA season," and also cited that James' younger son, Bryce, is one year away from becoming draft-eligible.

As of now, Lebron is not retiring. After an upsetting loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April 2025, Lebron was asked about his future in the NBA. After a reporter asked if he was retiring, Lebron responded, “I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So, we’ll see,” according to ESPN.