Did LeBron James announce his retirement? Power forward makes rare statement about playing with his sons

During the Los Angeles Lakers' media day on September 29, 2025, LeBron James talked about his NBA future. He clarified his position on retirement and whether he intends to continue playing long enough to play alongside his younger son, Bryce.

The media in Los Angeles asked the 40-year-old Lakers player if he would think about prolonging his career to play with Bryce, 18, who is starting his freshman year at the University of Arizona.

James smiled and said bluntly:

"I'm not sitting here. No, I'm not waiting on Bryce."

LeBron James stressed that he and his kid both have their own career trajectories, although he did not totally rule out the option:

"I don't know what his timeline is. He's his own young man now. He's down in Tucson. We'll see what happens this year, next year, you know, but he has his own timeline."

He continued:

"I got my timeline, and I don't know if they quite match up, but we'll see."

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LeBron James plays alongside Bronny

The duo first made history when they became the first father-son duo to play alongside each other in an NBA game. It was LeBron James's longtime goal to play alongside his eldest son, and he achieved it in a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. They later shared the court again in a match against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron said that it was his proudest moment.

Although Bronny has acknowledged the milestone's importance, he has disclosed that his father would prefer to keep all focus on his basketball development. Bronny told reporters in July, as reported by People:

"I think when stuff like that does come up, he just tells me to not worry about it, to not even pay attention to it [and] just lock into what you have going on right now."

He added:

"And that's what's going to get me better and to keep me focused. I think it's good that he tells me to not pay attention to that stuff."

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Entering Year 23

LeBron James is set to make history again as he prepares to play in his twenty-third season of the NBA, which begins on October 21, and their opponents are the Golden State Warriors. LeBron, who renewed his contract with the Lakers in 2024, said:

"I’m excited about today. I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season. However the journey plays out this year, I’m super-invested, because I don’t know when the end is. I know it’s a lot sooner than later."

He went on to add:

"It’s pretty cool to know how many miles I’ve got and still be able to play at a high level. For me, age is kind of just a number, but it is reality, too. You look at the history of the game, there’s not been many guys at my age, especially going into Year 23, that have been able to play at a level like that. I just try not to take it for granted and just try to give the game as much as I can, inspire whoever I can."

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LeBron James has not provided any information on his retirement, but has acknowledged that retirement is "sooner than later."

For now, LeBron James plans to dominate the coming season with Dončić and the newly signed players. They face the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 22 October 2025.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.