4<\/p>\n LeBron James has dropped a major retirement hint as NBA legend mulls over futureCredit: X 4<\/p>\n James could enter his 23rd season in 2025-2026<\/p>\n At 40 years old, James’ pending retirement has been on everybody’s lips for the last two seasons.<\/p>\n The basketball icon remained tight-lipped after LA were dumped out in the play-offs, telling reporters\u00a0he “didn\u2019t know” what the future held.<\/a><\/p>\n And now James has decided to address the speculation head-on in a new ad.<\/p>\n He posted a seven-second clip of him sitting at a faux press conference when one person asked: \u201cAre the retirement rumors true?\u201d<\/p>\n As James was set to answer into the microphone with cameras flashing, the clip quickly cut to black without any response.<\/p>\n The four-time NBA champion captioned his X post with: “I\u2019ve been asking myself the same question\u2026 \ud83e\udd14\ud83d\udc51.”<\/p>\n James is heading into the final guaranteed year of his contract with the Lakers, though he holds a player option for the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n That option, valued at $52.6 million, requires a decision by June 29.<\/p>\n If James decides not to opt-in, he would become a free agent.<\/p>\n The U.S Sun revealed that James feels he has “at least one more year” left in him and is even willing to take a significant pay cut to continue playing.<\/p>\n LA Lakers coach JJ Redick storms out of press conference after being left offended by ‘inexperienced’ remark<\/p>\n The U.S. Sun understands <\/a>the sports legend is open to taking a $10 million pay cut for the 2025-26 season, potentially opting out of his current contract to help the Lakers bolster their roster.<\/p>\n If James decides to continue, he will be the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons if he suits up for the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n A source added that James has “plenty of gas left in the tank” and that his desire to continue working with the Lakers\u2019 new co-star Luka Doncic<\/a>\u2014as well as helping his son Bronny transition into the NBA\u2014is driving his decision to keep playing.<\/p>\n “The connection with Luka is the best one he\u2019s had with a co-star in years,” an insider explained.<\/p>\n “LeBron believes another season will help Luka grow into the role of guiding the franchise once he retires.”<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n James will likely want to continue working with new Lakers co-star Luka DoncicCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Additionally, The U.S. Sun has learned that James\u2019 personal staff and coaching team have already been instructed to begin preparations for the next season.<\/p>\n The 21-time All-Star<\/a> can still dominate games with his quarterback-like dissection ability and powerful down-court drives.<\/p>\n James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game, shooting 51.3 per cent from the field and 37.6 per cent from three-point land in Year 22.\u00a0<\/p>\n Completing a blockbuster trade for a center this off could help James and the Lakers bounce back from their postseason loss to the Timberwolves <\/a>and win their first championship since the 2019-20 campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"LeBron](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lebron-james-drops-major-retirement-1003322591.jpg\")
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