The LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers' 2025-26 NBA season began with a demoralizing 119-109 defeat at the hands of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
James' prolonged absence due to a pre-season sciatica diagnosis has surely put the Lakers in a tough spot to begin the new year, but one of the 21-time All-Star's former teammates thinks that the NBA world should now be looking at the bigger picture with regard to the rest of his playing days.
With the 40-year-old's retirement timeline still up for interpretation, former 15-year NBA veteran, 3-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Lakers, Danny Green, discussed his stance on when James will decide to call it a career with ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel.
"I think that moment will come either after this year or after next year, his body will let him know," Green told Siegel Wednesday.
"LeBron is the type of guy who takes a lot of pride in his availability and his body. When things start happening and he can’t be out there on the floor every night, that’s when I think the gears will begin turning regarding retirement."
"If he starts having injuries this year, though, this may be the last time we see LeBron James. I think his body will tell him when it’s time. But I think he has one more year after this one."
Though he has yet to suit up for his 23rd NBA season, James has provided no indication that his on-court abilities have begun to fade.
After all, he finished year No. 22 in 2024-25 with averages of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds, notching an All-NBA Second Team selection in the process.
James still appears to be very much in the fight for his fifth NBA title in 2025-26, but something has to give sooner or later.
Whether he decides that playing second fiddle to 26-year-old phenom Luka Dončić will not be a role he's interested in playing, or if his body simply cannot keep up, the future Hall of Famer will someday hang up the sneakers.
As of now, it's still a waiting game.
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