As the new season's preseason is underway, LeBron James made an intriguing announcement on social media, revealing that he would make a major decision at 12 PM ET on the 7th (midnight Beijing time). This led many to speculate that James, wearing the iconic number 23, might be preparing to retire after completing his 23rd season in the NBA.
At 40 years old, with his 41st birthday approaching in December, James is undeniably closer to the end of his career. The upcoming season will be his 23rd, a milestone never before reached in NBA history—only Vince Carter has played 22 seasons, and he spent his later years as a role player. Despite this, James remains one of the league's top stars, earning a spot on last season’s All-NBA Second Team.
While his ability to continue playing at a high level for a few more years is not in question, his age and the physical toll of 23 seasons are significant factors. Over the past three seasons, James has been the oldest player in the league, which makes the possibility of retirement a logical next step.
A key sign that retirement may be on the horizon is James' decision not to re-sign a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers but instead to exercise his player option. This means he is currently on a one-year deal, and after the upcoming season, he will be a free agent. This move further fuels speculation that James could retire after this season.
In addition, last season James achieved a long-time goal by playing alongside his eldest son, Bronny, in an NBA game. Now that he has fulfilled this dream, he may feel there's nothing more left to prove and might decide to retire without any regrets.
Should LeBron announce his retirement before or after the season, it is likely that he would receive a farewell tour similar to Kobe Bryant's, with teams and fans honoring his incredible career. However, it’s not certain whether James has fully made up his mind. If he wishes, he could continue playing for two or three more seasons, especially with his younger son, Bryce, potentially entering the draft next year. Additionally, with Luka Don?i? now a teammate, LeBron still has a strong chance to chase another championship, which might delay any thoughts of retiring early.
