LeBron James is expected to continue his basketball journey as long as he chooses, contingent upon his fitness levels. As stated by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, James’s future appears promising.

James had been silent alongside his agent Rich Paul following his decision to retain a lucrative player option for an eighth season with the Lakers, leading to speculation about his future.

Entering the forthcoming training camp, this will be the first occasion where he is not bound by a player option or subsequent contract. The prospect of free agency looms large for James next summer, given the current contract lacks an extension clause.

The Lakers reinforced their squad during the offseason, signing Luka Dončić to a long-term deal while not committing beyond this season for James.

In a podcast, Windhorst remarked, “Rich Paul informed me there have been no significant discussions regarding a new contract with the Lakers. While this could imply multiple interpretations, it does not indicate that LeBron has formally requested a renewal to be declined. This context encapsulates their offseason trajectory.”

Though retirement has been hinted at by James, Windhorst believes he is not ready to hang up his boots, citing his impressive statistics from the last season.

In December, James indicated he believed he could perform at a high level for another five to seven years, although this is not his intended path. Moreover, the prospects for play in international leagues, as highlighted by Windhorst, remain on the table.

According to reports, Carter is aiding in the development of a new league aiming to secure funding for a global tour for basketball teams. This indicates potential involvement from James in various capacities connected to the sport’s international growth.

As the 2026 possibilities unfold, LeBron could explore various avenues to extend his remarkable career, either seeking another NBA championship or venturing into international play.