Speculation has been swirling around the NBA, where only one question dominates every conversation: Is LeBron James going to retire, and if so, when? The 22-year veteran has addressed it on media day, telling reporters, “I don’t know. I’m excited about the opportunity to play the game that I love for another season. And however the journey lays out this year, I’m just super invested. Because, like you said, I don’t know when the end is, but I know it’s a lot sooner than later.”

It’s been only 12 days since the Lakers’ media day and we have only seen more twists and turns in this narrative. Kendrick Perkins, the former NBA champion and longtime analyst, shared his bold opinion on LeBron James’ future. Following reports about LeBron’s glute issue, which later turned out to be a sciatica injury, analysts and fans have been equally worried. But Perkins suggests that this season and the injury might be the ideal endpoint for the 4x MVP. “At the end of this season, I feel like this should be LeBron’s last season, and he should really retire after this season. It’s nothing more for him to accomplish. He accomplished everything,” Perkins stated.

For LeBron, Perkins suggests this is the time to listen to his body. Injuries like sciatica can complicate a player’s ability to maintain elite performance, further hampering one’s quality of life with mobility issues. For the 40-year-old legend, this might be the final stages of his legendary career.

“I’m not the doctor, and I’m damn sure not a golfer, okay? But I was a former athlete,” Perkins said. He also framed the conversation around LeBron’s legacy and decision-making process.

“We’ve heard LeBron talk about, hey, when the time is near, he’s gonna sit down with his family…see if the love is still there. But his body is saying, listen to me,” he explained. At 40 years old, LeBron is the oldest one in the league but he is still averaging impressive numbers, he scored 24.4 points per game last season- but even superstars face diminishing returns with age.

Not to forget, his time with the Lakers have been laced with injuries. The current sciatica issue will sideline him for three to four weeks.

But he has been seeing more bench time throughout the 7 seasons with LA, notably in as much as 124 games. Now compare that to his 15 years in the league where he had missed only 71.

For three consecutive seasons, injuries have interrupted his play, limiting him to 55 games in 2022-23 and just 71 in 2023-24. Perkins’ point is clear: even a player of LeBron’s caliber, known for unparalleled durability, is feeling the cumulative effects of decades of elite competition.

Historically, Michael Jordan retired at 40, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 42, now Perkins wants to see LeBron next on the line.

No one really knows what LeBron wants but LeBron’s agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania, “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. … We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”

What would an NBA without LeBron James look like?

NBA without LeBron James? Is that even possible to imagine? His impact on the NBA transcends his on-court achievements. His presence alone significantly influences the league’s financial landscape.

We all know, there are generations who have grown up practically worshipping James, for them NBA is synonymous to the star. And the NBA has always picked up on the star power. NBA’s recent $77 billion media rights deal with NBCUniversal underscores that importance in driving revenue.

NBCUniversal reported nearly sold-out advertising inventory for the 2025-2026 NBA season, with over 170 advertisers, including more than 20% new clients. And a large chunk of that popularity is due to a global icon like LeBron.

The extend of his portfolio of endorsement and marketing deals contribute significantly to his status as one of the highest-earning athletes globally.

Just when the news of his second announcement came- fans were convinced it will be about retirement, they flocked to buy game tickets at as high as $800, only to realize later, that it was an ad of the alcohol brand Hennesy.

There are an array of more such promotional stunts from global brands who collaborate with the legend. At the forefront is his lifetime contract with Nike, reportedly valued at over $1 billion.

This deal has led to the release of numerous signature shoe lines, solidifying his brand’s presence in the sportswear market. Additionally, James has secured lucrative partnerships with major corporations such as PepsiCo, Beats by Dre, AT&T, Walmart, Microsoft, and GMC.

From a team perspective, the Lakers would lose their franchise superstar and will likely face a hard time replacing him to pair alongside Luka Doncic.

In the end, an NBA without LeBron James would signify a substantial shift in the league’s landscape, practically affecting everything from team strategies, brands’ global marketing, and the fan engagement.