Did LeBron James retire? Lakers star makes retirement announcement after first-round loss

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is 41 years old. He has been in the NBA since 2003 and has 21 All-Star trips, four NBA titles, and four NBA MVP awards among plenty of other accolades. 

However, the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the second straight year, this time in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Immediately after the game, the question was asked about whether or not LeBron plans to retire in what has already been a legendary career. 

Did LeBron James Retire? 

The answer right now is no, although things could certainly change over the next few months.

When speaking to reporters after the Game 5 loss on Wednesday, LeBron was asked about his future. 

"I don't know. I don't have an answer to that. 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. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play."

It makes sense, The season just ended and LeBron and his team were trying to let reality set in after being the third seed in the Western Conference and having NBA Finals hopes. 

So, his answer doesn't point at a decision in one way or another. 

What is LeBron James' Contract Status? 

Looking ahead to 2025-26, LeBron has a whopping $52.6 million player option. That will be the final season of a two-year, $101 million deal he signed, 

But, the lure of playing with his son, Bronny James, is a strong one. The opportunity to make another run at an NBA title is another intriguing one for LeBron James. 

And, despite being 41 years old, he is still one of the top players in the league, somehow. LeBron James averaged 24.4 points with 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in the regular season and 25.4 points in the postseason. 

Plus, a retirement tour might be in order whenever he does decide to call it a career, meaning an abrupt retirement in the offseason would ruin that idea. 

For now, LeBron has not said clearly in one way or another, but this will be something to monitor over the next few months. 

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