ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided a massive update regarding the future of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James on Saturday.
McMenamin not only reported that James is expected to pick up the final year of his contract for $52.6 million but may play beyond the 2025-26 campaign as well.
The 40-year four-time MVP is set to enter his 23rd NBA season in the fall.
James ‘Not Entering Next Season With Any Certainty That it Will be His Last’
While McMenamin wrote that James is “bound to have some degree of slippage, even if it only manifests itself in his availability” next season, it looks like he plans to suit up in 2026-27 as well.
It was reported in early May that King James had suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ season-ending loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
James returned to on-court basketball activities this week and McMenamin wrote that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer had been training with his oldest son in the weight room (teammate Bronny James) ahead of his return to the hardwood.
“And while James has considered retirement every offseason since 2023, a source familiar with James’ thinking told ESPN that at this point, James is not entering next season with any certainty that it will be his last,” the insider said.
While the 21-time All-Star’s potential stay in the Association past next season could see him playing into 2027, James did recently reveal that he’s likely done suiting up for Team USA and won’t be playing at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
How Long Would LeBron Have to Wait For 2nd Son to Potentially Join Him, Bronny in NBA?
The elder James wasn’t shy about his desire to take the court with Bronny, ever since the latter was a high school basketball player. Bronny ended up playing one season at USC before the Lakers selected the guard with the 55th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
The 20-year-old played sparingly for Los Angeles during his rookie season and split time between the G-League and NBA. Bronny finished the year averaging 2.3 points and 6.7 minutes across 27 games (one start).
While LBJ hasn’t spoken about a goal to play professionally with his other son (Bryce) as much as he did when Bronny was a prospect, the possibility could influence his decision to stick around for one extra season.
Bryce is a recent graduate of Sierra Canyon High School in California and a future freshman at the University of Arizona where he’ll play for the Wildcats for at least the 2025-26 campaign.
The 18-year-old will first be eligible for the NBA Draft in June 2026, though it’s uncertain whether teams will be interested in the three-star recruit. Bronny was a five-star recruit when he headed to USC two years ago.
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