Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James to announce huge career decision, wants a ‘retirement tour’ in 2025-26 season

LeBron has already accepted his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

This Friday (18), during the Wine And Gold Podcast, journalist Chris Fedor stated that LeBron James will announce his retirement in advance. According to Fedor, the NBA superstar wants a “farewell tour” in his last season, contrary to what LeBron James himself has already stated, when he said that he still has doubts whether he wants it or not.

“Based on everything I know about LeBron and all the conversations I’ve had with people in his circle, I believe LeBron will make it clear he’s retiring before he actually retires,” Fedor said.

Lakers superstar LeBron James is expected to announce his retirement in advance as he wants a “retirement tour.”👑

“He would want the recognition, ceremonies, and celebration of his career across the league rather than quietly retiring in an offseason.”

(via Chris Fedor) pic.twitter.com/8v0a6iIa7K
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 18, 2025

Also Read: NBA 2K26 Summer League: Bronny James Heats Up Late in Lakers’ Close Defeat to Celtics

He also commented that it won’t be a case of playing in 2025-26 and simply retiring in the offseason. He also stated that “he wants all the glitz and glamour” and that he wouldn’t put it past him to make this announcement on Mind The Game, LeBron James’ podcast with Steve Nash. However, the journalist didn’t comment on when that decision might be made.

In fact, LeBron has already accepted his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season. This means we’ll have the star player for at least 2025-26, but everything after that remains up in the air. According to reports, the Lakers haven’t reached out to LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul, about extending his current contract.

LeBron retirement rumors increase after Rich Paul’s report

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have had a busy NBA offseason so far. Amid speculation about his future with the franchise, Dan Woike and Joe Vardon of The Athletic confirmed that the star has not indicated any departure. However, other sources believe the situation may be related to the “King’s” retirement.

That’s the theory put forward by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. One of the issues swirling around the league was the Lakers’ failure to offer LeBron a contract extension. However, McMenamin confirmed that, according to manager Rich Paul, his client also had no interest in approaching the franchise to begin talks.

James turns 41 next December and, for the first time in his time in Los Angeles, has an expiring contract. This means that at the end of the season, when the $52.6 million salary he’s entitled to is already in his pocket, he’ll be a free agent.

In 2024-25, the forward finished the regular season averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds, finishing sixth in the MVP voting. He also earned his 21st All-Star Game selection and All-NBA team selection. Now, he’s preparing for his 23rd season in the league, setting himself apart as the record holder. Previously, he was tied with Vince Carter, who played 22 seasons before retiring.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.