LeBron James Reportedly Expected to Play in 2025-26 After Lakers' NBA Playoff Exit

Does anybody really expect that losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs in five games will be LeBron James' last act in the NBA?

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show that his "understanding" is James will return for another season, perhaps by triggering his $52.6 million player option.

Not surprisingly, LeBron was noncommittal when asked about his future immediately after Los Angeles' series-ending 103-96 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"I don't know," he told reporters. "I don't have an answer to that. Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play."

Unlike last year, there isn't one tangible factor that points to a clear outcome regarding his playing status.

When James had long stated the goal of teaming up with son Bronny in the NBA, he wasn't going to walk away right as Bronny was entering the league. Now, it's at least a little easier to buy into the idea he could finally retire.

But the 21-time All-Star would be leaving a lot of money on the table. In addition, he continues to perform at a high level and should feel more optimistic about the Lakers' direction than he did at this same time last spring.

From the moment the trade happened, most could see Los Angeles shifted its timeline by swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić. Dončić is six years younger than Davis, and more importantly, AD's departure exacerbated one of the team's biggest issues. L.A.'s lack of interior protection was exposed again and again by Minnesota.

Beyond having Dončić on the roster for a full season, general manager Rob Pelinka has all summer to find the center the Lakers desperately need, along with some athleticism on the wing.

Maybe James doesn't want to wait for reinforcements to arrive, or he's simply ready to hang it up after 22 seasons.

Based on Charania's report, though, King James isn't hanging up the crown just yet.