LeBron James Denies Retirement Plans Ahead 23rd NBA Season

LeBron James, at age 40, is preparing for his 23rd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers but insists his retirement is approaching, though not immediate. He emphasized on the "360 With Speedy" podcast that while he is "on the other side of the hump," he is not planning to play another 10 or 23 years and is gearing up for the end of his career without setting a precise timeline. Last season, James continued to perform at an elite level, averaging over 24 points, 8 assists, and nearly 8 rebounds per game, maintaining his status as one of the top players in the league. Despite speculation fueled by his new hobby of playing golf and contract talks, James has not confirmed retirement plans and is expected to play through the 2025-26 season, potentially the last. He has expressed interest in a "farewell tour" to celebrate his career, though he remains undecided on the details. James holds multiple NBA records and milestones, including surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career minutes and Michael Jordan in 30-point games, underscoring his legendary status as he nears the twilight of his playing days.