The WNBA regular season closed with fireworks. A’ja Wilson, who finished the regular season with averages of 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists, snagged what was her fourth overall and second back-to-back MVP title. The Aces closed the regular season with 16 straight wins and have since steamrolled into the semis after a 2-1 win over the Seattle Storm. The title makes Wilson the player with the most WNBA MVP titles in history, surpassing the three-time winners like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.

After an August 2 loss to the Minnesota Lynx dropped the Aces to 14-14, she fueled a 16-game winning streak to close the regular season. The team tied for the second-best record at 30-14, securing the No. 2 playoff seed behind Minnesota’s 34-10 mark. And well, the achievement is evident for NBA legends as well.

ESPN marked the moment with an iconic post of Wilson on a throne, holding a basketball, crowned with the caption, “AJA WILSON IS IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN AS THE ONLY WNBA PLAYER TO WIN MVP FOUR TIMES 👑👏.” LeBron reposted the ESPN graphic on his Instagram story and let it fly, “4 piece chicken nugget!!!! AYYYYYEEEEEEEE!!!!…CONGRATULATIONS @eSISms@aja22wilson!! PROUD OF YOU!🤎🤎🤎🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾”. To LeBron, A’ja Wilson is family.

And this wasn’t James’ first nod to Wilson’s brilliance. Back in September, after her 41-point, 17-rebound masterpiece against the Phoenix Mercury in a 97-79 Aces win, he shared WNBA highlights on his story with the caption, “TOO DAMN GOOOD!!!! My sister better than yours! [laughing emojis]”. That performance marked her second-highest scoring output of the season, trailing only a 42-point effort against Dallas on August 27. Wilson’s bond with James runs deep, rooted in mutual respect.

She draws inspiration from his career, noting in a Wall Street Journal interview how he defies expectations: “Talk about a crown that’s heavy. I feel like that’s what it is but I try to wear it with grace. When it comes to LeBron and his career, and his journey, he did things on his time, his way. People tried to mold him and cookie-cut him, and try to put him in this box. And I think every year, Bron constantly showed up and showed people why you will never put him in a box. So I feel like when people compare me to him, when it comes to our league, that’s what I see.”

Beyond the court, Wilson recalled her first encounter with James during a Nike campaign spotlighting professional women of color, where he called her a “rookie with a voice.” He even bragged about her influence on his daughter Zhuri, “And my daughter is, like, in love with her, so she’s family, you know? So when it comes to seeing A’ja and some of the other athletes not only wearing their own signature shoes in their respective league, but also those shoes crossing over to where you now see guys wearing their silhouettes, I think it’s super dope.” Savannah James later showed off the family ties in June, posting Zhuri wearing Wilson’s Nike A’One “Pink Aura” and “Indigo Girl” shoes during a volleyball game, tagging Wilson with heart emojis.

While A’ja continues to build her legacy, LeBron James remains the living embodiment of longevity. And yet, James is dealing with very different kind of conversations when it comes to his own career.

LeBron’s final chapter?

All summer, rumors swirled about James’ potential departure from the Lakers after Rich Paul’s ambiguous comments on his future with the franchise. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors inquired, but sources confirmed no serious discussions occurred. Lakers insider Brett Siegel reported it’s unlikely James requests a mid-season move, a first in his career.

Pat Riley’s lingering grudge from James’ 2014 Heat departure complicates potential deals, like one for Andrew Wiggins. An NBA executive told Lakers Daily: “I would be stunned if Pat Riley did this trade. You really think Pat wants to help LeBron [James]? He’s still mad about LeBron leaving Miami. I don’t see it happening.” Riley views James’ exit as a betrayal that halted a dynasty with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Meanwhile, the retirement talk intensifies as James enters his 23rd season at age 40, tying Vince Carter’s record before surpassing it. On “360 With Speedy” during his Nike China tour, James addressed speculation tied to his golf hobby: “I’m not hinting at anything. Obviously, I know I’m on the other side of the hump, for sure. Come on now, I’m not about to play another 23 years, that’s for damn sure, and I’m not about to play another 10. I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is, I’m not there yet.” He clarified: “Listen guys, every time I pick up something new, it does not mean retirement. It’s just something I want to do, just a little hobby. But retirement is coming, it is coming. It’s just not here just yet.”

James delivered 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season on 51.3% field goal and 37.6% three-point shooting in 70 games, his fourth-best from deep. He finished sixth in MVP voting. Lakers legend James Worthy praised the duo with Luka Doncic: “I was really impressed that they were able to get to third in the West, right? Last year. On half a season with Luka and LeBron not 100% getting the chemistry and the cohesiveness and their synergy, not having a big, not having a rim protector. They got all the way to the playoffs and then they met their destiny.”

LeBron James may be near the twilight of his career. But he’s already passed the torch to Bronny, Bryce, and A’ja Wilson, who are reshaping the basketball conversation in real-time.