LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most decorated athletes in basketball history, may be preparing to close the curtain on his legendary career at the end of the 2025-26 season, according to growing speculation among league insiders. Now entering his 23rd season and set to turn 41 in December, James is reportedly considering a retirement tour reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s celebrated farewell—a season-long tribute across the league that allowed fans and peers to honor him one last time at every stop[1][3][5].

James, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and delivered an NBA title to the franchise in 2020, remains not only the oldest active player in the league but also a fixture in the debate about basketball’s greatest players. His résumé boasts four NBA championships, four regular-season MVPs, and four Finals MVPs, alongside a record 21 All-NBA selections. Last year, he became the first player in league history to play alongside his son, Bronny James[2].

Amid whispers suggesting James is unlikely to sign another contract with the Lakers or any other team, sources close to the situation—including agents, scouts, and rival executives—are “beginning to connect the dots” that retirement may be imminent. The Lakers have yet to offer him a contract extension, further fueling talk that James is planning to hang up his sneakers after fulfilling his final year, which will see him earn $52.6 million[1][3][7].

The looming end of James’s playing days marks more than just the departure of an all-time great. Known as “King James,” he has been a transcendent figure on and off the court. He surpassed even Kobe Bryant on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and shares Vince Carter’s record for the most seasons played in league history[2][4].

A fitting parallel to Bryant’s storied departure, the prospect of a LeBron James retirement tour would offer the basketball world a chance to reflect on his immense impact. The league and its fans would be able to celebrate landmark moments from James’s two decades of dominance—from his rookie-of-the-year campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, to his Miami Heat championships, his emotional return and iconic title in Cleveland, and his revitalization of the Lakers[2].

What comes next for LeBron may be historic in its own right. Insiders believe James is eager to join the exclusive ranks of NBA team owners, specifically eyeing a new franchise in Las Vegas. Retirement from playing would make him eligible to pursue this dream, possibly placing him at the vanguard of the league’s next big expansion[1][3].

As James prepares, perhaps, for his last dance, every game promises to become a must-watch. The NBA community, from players to fans, is bracing for the emotional farewell of not just a Hall of Famer, but a player whose influence has reshaped basketball for a generation[1][3][5].