The end of legendary careers always sparks whispers. For LeBron James, that moment feels close, maybe a season or two away, considering he is 40 and edging near a record-breaking 23rd year in the league. With Luka Doncic effectively confirmed as the Lakers’ centerpiece for years to come, James has been constantly linked to some form of an LA exit, be it to another team or for retirement. However, all that chatter has come despite the fact that James has not yet made a move confirming what he will do next.

Commentators have claimed that the franchise’s shift toward Doncic is bound to have left LeBron feeling sidelined. Yet insiders like Jared Greenberg made sure to quiet the storm. He reminded everyone that James never requested a trade, never even considered it. Instead, he chose control. By opting into his $52.6 million contract, LeBron signaled his intent to stay. So, why does the conversation about his future continue? Perhaps it’s because fans see retirement looming, and know that James is looking to make the best of what is remaining of his career.

Then, almost out of nowhere, another side of LeBron’s life began shining brighter: golf. Earlier this summer, he shared clips of his swing, calling the sport humbling and tough. But recently, he revealed just how invested he was by posting a video on his Instagram story. In the clip, the game Road to the Masters played on his screen while he added a simple caption: “🔒”. That lock emoji said it all. LeBron was completely locked in, not on training camp or workouts, but on golf instead. Isn’t that an interesting shift for someone still chasing basketball history?

His love for the game has even caught the attention of fellow NBA stars. Stephen Curry, who is known for his own golfing skills, had a message for him. “Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.” It was lighthearted, yet it felt genuine, showing that LeBron has truly stepped into this new world. Fans, too, have been entertained by his progress, even joking about his stiff early swings. As training camp approaches, one thing is clear: while LeBron is still tied to basketball, his heart is quickly finding joy on the golf course.

Lebron James expected to stay put for the Lakers

The question of whether LeBron James would push for a trade has hung over this offseason, but reports suggest otherwise. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, “It is unlikely that he would request a trade from the Lakers in the middle of the 2025-26 season.” That statement calmed the speculation and pointed toward James’ intention to finish his 23rd year in Los Angeles, no matter how the season unfolds.

This season brings a unique shift for LeBron James. Siegel noted, “All we know about LeBron at this juncture is that he is nearing the end of the line, but still has the same motivation and drive to win as he did earlier in his career. The only difference is that for the first time, he is no longer ‘The Guy’ on his team, as that title now belongs to Luka Doncic in Los Angeles.” The acknowledgment paints a different picture of his role in the franchise’s future.

What happens next could be even more interesting. For the first time since 2019, James may test free agency if he returns for a 24th season. He has never entered free agency with an expiring contract in his two-decade career, and this scenario opens possibilities. As Siegel hinted, there have been signs that the current season could be his final one in a Lakers uniform, though not in the NBA altogether.

Further, James is well past his prime. While he has a huge ego and undoubtedly was the main man through the majority of his career, at 40, even he will know that the chances of doing that on a title-winning team might be limited. In that sense, this new approach from the Lakers does align with James’ timeline. He simply wants to ensure he is able to compete for another ring, and an ideal supporting cast around Doncic will also increase James’ chances of doing that.

Beyond contracts and speculation, history is also in play. ESPN highlighted that “James is 350 field goals away from Abdul-Jabbar’s record (15,837).” With LeBron surpassing milestones every year, the 2025-26 season could secure his place even further in basketball’s record books.