LeBron James Hesitates on Retirement Decision: ‘I Don’t Know What the Future Holds’

Paloma ChavezTue, May 12, 2026 at 11:55 PM UTC

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LeBron James on May 11
Credit: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty -

LeBron James is considering retirement after the Lakers' playoff loss but hasn't made a final decision yet

He plans to spend time with his family and reflect before announcing his next steps publicly

"I don't know what the future holds," James, 41, said after the season ended

LeBron James has fueled retirement rumors amid the end of the season.

After the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff exit on Monday, May 11, James admitted he still doesn't know whether he'll return for another NBA season, fueling retirement speculation surrounding the league's all-time leading scorer.

“I don't know what the future holds,” James, 41, said after the season ended, adding that he plans to take time with his family before making any decisions.

He went on to say he plans to go back and “recalibrate” with his family, adding that when he decides what he'll do, he'll make it known to the public.

The remarks came after the Lakers lost 115-110 in their Game 4 second-round playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Nobody has any idea what the future holds, and I don’t either,” James said on Monday, reports The . “I’ll take time to recalibrate and look over the season and see what’s best for my future, and when I get to that point, everyone will know.”

If James decides to return, there is a possibility he could play for another team. James is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, reports The Athletic. He made $52.6 million during the 2025-26 season, so if he takes a pay cut to sign elsewhere next season, it would be the first of his career.

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This isn't the first time James has hinted at retiring. After the Lakers' season-ending loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year, James said he wasn't sure if he'd return for another season.

"I don't know," he told reporters at the time when asked how much longer he wants to play.

"I don't have an answer to that," he continued. "Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens."

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"And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play," he said. "I don't know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we'll see."

During the final game of his 23rd season, James scored 24 points with 12 rebounds.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”