Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has undoubtedly been the best player since he entered the NBA in 2003, but his career could soon be coming to an end.
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce thinks James will retire following the 2025-2026 season.
“If I’m a betting man, I think this will be his last season,” Pierce said about James, via [Dallas Hoops Journal](https://dallashoopsjournal.com/p/paul-pierce-lebron-james-retire-los-angeles-lakers-nba-news-rumors/#google_vignette). “You know, I think he’s played 21, 22 years. He’s been the GOAT for so long. He’s maintained the stats. We appreciate what he brought to the game and how he’s held the mantle since (Michael) Jordan left. Bron is one of them ones. We appreciate him. But I think his time is up. But we appreciate what he’s done for the league.”
James, 40, is entering his 23rd NBA season. The 21-time All-Star exercised his $52.6 million player option this summer. He will become a free agent at season’s end, which could lead him into retirement.
Pierce and James faced off 69 times from 2003 to 2017. James won 35 of the matchups, with 17 coming in the playoffs. The most iconic playoff series between the two was in 2010, during James’ first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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The Cavs fell to Boston in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, marking the end of James’ time in Cleveland for four years. That summer, James signed a four-year contract with the Miami Heat, where he went on to win his first NBA title in 2012.
Pierce and James challenged each other every time they played, and when James is inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he will owe part of his success to Pierce for making him a better player.
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Featured image via Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images