LeBron James Plans to Announce Retirement Before Final Season
The NBA will get a heads-up before LeBron James hangs up his sneakers. The Lakers superstar wants to enjoy a proper “farewell tour” rather than quietly retiring, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
When Fedor caught up with James during a Lakers road game against the Cavaliers, he asked if that might be LeBron’s final appearance in Cleveland. The 21-time All-Star just “laughed it off.”
“Based on everything I know about LeBron and conversations with people in his circle, he’s going to announce his retirement plans ahead of time,” Fedor explained on Friday’s Wine and Gold Talk podcast.
“It won’t be a situation where he plays out his final year and then just retires in the offseason.”
LeBron wants the full experience.
“The sense I get is, LeBron wants it all. He wants the farewell tour. He wants all these franchises reliving his moments against them. And he wants all of the glitz and the glam,” Fedor said.
If James decides 2025-26 will be his last season, Fedor believes he’ll make the announcement beforehand.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that revelation comes on his own Mind the Game podcast rather than anywhere else.”
Future with Lakers Uncertain
James recently opted into his massive $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Lakers.
But there are signs this upcoming season could be his last in purple and gold.
Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, hinted at this possibility in June when he told ESPN’s Shams Charania that James “knows the Lakers are building for the future” and “wants to make every season he has left count.”
LeBron is entering the second season of a two-year, $101.4 million contract signed last July.
He’s one of just two NBA players with a no-trade clause, alongside Damian Lillard.
This special protection is earned after spending at least eight years in the league and four years with a particular team, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Players can’t add this clause in extensions.
Despite swirling trade rumors this offseason, the Lakers expect the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to attend training camp later this summer.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Joe Vardon reported that “both the Lakers and people close to [James] expect that he will be with the organization for training camp once the season begins this fall.”
If James doesn’t retire next summer, the 2025-26 season might still be his last wearing a Lakers uniform.
