LeBron James is set to become the first player in history to play a 23rd season in the NBA in 2025-26, but Olden Polynice wants him to think about retirement. Polynice, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, stated on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast that he can’t understand why James is still playing.
“The longevity aspect, I think it’s getting a little bit too much now,” Polynice said. “Because I’m like, dude, what else you want to do? It’s time for you to start thinking about retiring.”
Polynice also made it clear that James’ days of winning titles are over.
“He ain’t getting no fifth ring unless he buys one,” Polynice stated. “… It ain’t happening.
While Polynice may end up being right about James not adding to the four championships he has won, you can’t really fault the man for wanting to carry on. The 40-year-old averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024-25.
James has gas left in the tank, and you’d struggle to find too many players in NBA history who walked away from the game after having the kind of season he had. The 21-time All-Star made the All-NBA Second Team this year, and it would make little sense to retire.
The arrival of Luka Doncic via trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February would have only given James more motivation to carry on. The new-look Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but if they make some good moves this offseason, they could be contenders next season.
Getting a quality starting caliber center would be the top priority. The Lakers could also do with having some wing defenders, and we’ll wait and see who they manage to bring in over the coming months.
GM Rob Pelinka admitted James will have high expectations. He promised that the front office would do everything possible to meet them.
The 2025-26 Season Could Be LeBron James’ Last In The NBA
While James is still going strong, the end isn’t too far away at this point. NBA insider Shams Charania stated that the 2025-26 season could be the Lakers superstar’s last in the league.
“Year 23 for No. 23. They have the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. So, to me, it’s very storybook if that’s the way it goes. But that’s a decision that he’s gotta make.”
That would be a storybook ending, but James could potentially have a reason to stick around for another season after this next one. His youngest son, Bryce, could enter the NBA in 2026. Would he turn down the opportunity to play with both of his sons?
We’ve seen just how much it has meant to James to play alongside his eldest son, Bronny, whom the Lakers selected with the 55th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. He ranked playing with his son the greatest accomplishment of his career, and the only thing that would top that is playing with Bronny and Bryce.
Charania also expects James to opt into his $52.6 million player option for next season. The fact that a multi-year extension isn’t the likely course of action does give some credence to the notion that he will walk away after the season. Time will tell, though.
