Lebron James will retire from the NBA in 2025

LeBron James is not just a basketball player, he is an icon who redefined what it means to be an athlete and an entrepreneur. His journey from a talent in Akron, Ohio to one of the greatest players in NBA history has been an amazing story, and this season has shown that 2025 will be his farewell tour. Many speculations suggest that 2025 will mark the end of his illustrious career.

The family legacy

LeBron has always been vocal about his desire to play alongside his son. In numerous interviews, he has mentioned that one of his life goals was to play in the NBA with Bronny, something that has become a deeply personal mission for him. This idea was not just a passing dream, but an ambition that has kept LeBron motivated well into his late 30s, despite the physical wear and tear that comes with playing basketball at the highest level for so long.

For LeBron, playing with Bronny isn’t just about family pride—it’s about securing the ultimate family legacy. Having accomplished almost everything there is to achieve in the NBA – four NBA championships, four MVP awards, countless All-NBA selections and a career that spans multiple eras – LeBron has taken on the role of mentor and father figure , not only for his own children, but also for the next generation of basketball stars. Playing alongside Bronny was a great moment and he will have one last season to do it.

The physical toll

While LeBron James has defied age far longer than most athletes in NBA history, Father Time is inevitable. At 40, even the best players face the reality that their bodies cannot sustain the same level of performance they once could. LeBron has been remarkably durable throughout his career, but as he enters his final seasons, the wear and tear on his knees, back and overall body is starting to show.

LeBron’s recent decision to focus on playing only a limited number of games during the regular season, aiming for optimal health in the playoffs, indicates his awareness of this reality. He has said on numerous occasions that he intends to play until he feels he can no longer perform at an elite level, but he also knows that when the time comes to step away, it will be forever. Given that Bronny James is slowly coming into his own in the NBA G-League, we should expect Lebron James to use the 2025 season as his farewell with a focus on Legacy and not a final championship.