LeBron James had some great rivals in his NBA career, but none might be greater than his current one: Father Time.
Every time James steps onto the court, he is fighting the only undefeated player in NBA history, one who took down the likes of Michael Jordan as if they were nothing.
Father Time, though, seems to be losing to James at this point, who, after a slow start to the 2025-26 season, found his form with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After an end to the 2025 calendar year that left the Lakers looking dazed and confused, the team rediscovered its swagger over the past few weeks, rocketing up to third in the Western Conference standings. Even after playing some of the toughest teams in the league, the Lakers have persevered, extending their current win streak to nine games.
Although it appears as if James is reestablishing himself in Los Angeles, a new report from an NBA insider says otherwise: Regardless of how this season ends, it appears like it’ll be the last for James in Los Angeles.
Per The Athletic’s senior NBA writer Sam Amick, James is expected to leave the Lakers this offseason, with no possible repairing of the bridge that was burned earlier on in the campaign.
Although James could retire, it is not in the cards currently, as two frontrunners are already emerging to sign the four-time NBA champion in the offseason.
The first, and most obvious, is the Cleveland Cavaliers. The place where it all began, James would return home to the franchise he is most synonymous with, ending his career on a team that could still contend for a ring in what could be his swang song.
The second team, which could set the internet ablaze, would be the Golden State Warriors. A tandem of James and Steph Curry would be must-see television, and with Golden State wanting to fill their new arena on a nightly basis, there would never be an empty seat, even if they’re not doing well in the standings.
Before any of that talk, though, James will continue what could be his final season with the Lakers on Monday. L.A. will attempt to extend its win streak to 10 games against the Detroit Pistons on the road.
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