On Sunday morning, it became official: LeBron James will return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season after opting into his $52 million player option. That means NBA fans will continue to witness “The King” competing at the highest level as he enters his 23rd season. But the question still lingers—what could finally push LeBron to retire?
A recent viral video may have provided a clue. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James was overheard during a dinner conversation hinting that his wife, Savannah, may be ready for him to call it quits sooner than fans expect.
“It remains to be seen whether James will reach season No. 24 or beyond,” Charania reported. “James went out to dinner in New York this past week with his wife, Savannah, Miami Heat big man Kevin Love and his wife, Kate, along with other confidants. One of the dinner guests posted a snippet to Instagram, where James can be heard saying, ‘[Savannah] wants me to f—ing retire in the next year or so.’”
James, who turns 41 in December, remains the NBA’s oldest active star. That fact continues to fuel speculation about when he might walk away from the game—particularly after each postseason exit. Still, the future Hall of Famer continues to play at an elite level and shows no visible signs of slowing down.
Last season, in his 22nd year in the league, James earned another All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game—numbers that would be remarkable for any player, let alone one nearing his mid-40s.
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Those stats are further proof that James remains as relevant and productive as ever. Even at 40, his performance on the court makes a compelling argument that retirement isn’t imminent. His durability, basketball IQ, and leadership continue to drive the Lakers’ pursuit of a championship.
Now paired with Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade earlier this offseason, James has renewed reason to stay locked in. The team believes they’ve built a contender, and James is expected to play a central role in leading this new-look roster.
As long as LeBron James continues to deliver at an elite level and the Lakers remain in contention, retirement may have to wait—Savannah’s wishes notwithstanding.
