Geline Salac

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to the national anthem before the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 26, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE   Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

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Los Angeles Lakers v Chicago Bulls

LEBRON JAMES PURPLE 

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17697269467371769726952811.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to the national anthem before the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 26, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. <em>JEFF HAYNES / NBAE / GETTY IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES, United States - The tears had barely dried on LeBron James&#x27; Los Angeles Lakers uniform before the debate began anew. Is the NBA&#x27;s reigning monarch -- &quot;King James&quot; -- ready to give up his throne?</p><p>The 41-year-old superstar was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/1/29/nba-lakers-routed-in-lebron-s-possible-last-game-in-cleveland-1252">overcome with emotion</a> on Wednesday during the Lakers&#x27; road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in what might well turn out to James&#x27; final appearance in his hometown.</p><p>James buried his face in his jersey as he attempted to keep his feelings in check while the Cavaliers played a video tribute to their prodigal hero during a first quarter break.</p><p>The moment reignited speculation that one of the most glittering careers in sporting history may be nearing its end.</p><p>Spanning three decades, James&#x27; dazzling résumé includes four NBA championships, a slew of records, and a place atop the league&#x27;s all-time scoring list -- a milestone many believe may never be surpassed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/08/23/lebron-james-the-man-who-would-be-king">LeBron James: The man who would be King</a></div><p>For now, though, James is giving nothing away, declining to offer any hint as to when -- or how -- he might bring the curtain down.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t know what the future holds,&quot; James told reporters when asked about possible retirement following the Lakers&#x27; 129-99 drubbing by his former club.</p><p>James acknowledged, though, that while he has not made a decision about his future, Wednesday&#x27;s game could possibly have been his final appearance in Cleveland.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- Farewell tour? -</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;I haven&#x27;t made a decision on the future but it very well could be,&quot; James said.</p><p>Yet James, who is currently averaging an impressive 22 points per game in what is his record-breaking 23rd season in the league, balked at the idea that the closing months of the campaign may amount to a &quot;farewell tour.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I have not even thought to the point of a farewell tour or whatever the case may be, because I haven&#x27;t had that conversation with myself and my family on, when is it over?&quot;  James said. &quot;That will come after that.&quot;</p><p>Before the current season got under way, James had declared himself energized by the prospect of playing alongside Luka Doncic, the 26-year-old Slovenian superstar the Lakers acquired last year in a blockbuster trade.</p><p>&quot;The motivation to play alongside him every night, that&#x27;s super motivating,&quot; James said.</p><p>Doncic&#x27;s arrival clearly signaled that the Lakers no longer see James as the central pillar of their long-term team-building.</p><p>James will be a free agent at the end of the season and if he extends his stay in Los Angeles, is likely to be asked to take a pay cut, NBA analysts believe.</p><p>Alternatively, James might seek to crown his career elsewhere -- with a possible third stint in Cleveland, or even a long-rumored partnership alongside his close friend and USA team-mate Stephen Curry at the Golden State Warriors.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- &#x27;Big decisions&#x27; -</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;LeBron has two big decisions to make when the season is over, whenever that is for the Lakers,&quot; ESPN&#x27;s Brian Windhorst said. &quot;One is, is he gonna play another season? And he&#x27;s made it very clear, he doesn&#x27;t seem to know, and I believe that.</p><p>&quot;The second thing is, if he&#x27;s gonna play another season, how much money is he willing to play for, because the Lakers almost certainly are going to ask him to take a pay cut, potentially a significant one.&quot;</p><p>NBA legend Shaquille O&#x27;Neal, believes there is every possibility James may choose to extend his career, at least for one more season.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t think he knows,&quot; O&#x27;Neal said. &quot;But I think it&#x27;s fair to say three more years from now, no. Two more years, maybe. But one more year -- definitely.&quot;</p><p>O&#x27;Neal said when James does finally decide to call time on his reign, there will be little ambiguity.</p><p>&quot;LeBron&#x27;s very calculated at, you know, things he does,&quot; O&#x27;Neal said.</p><p>&quot;So the whole world will know when it&#x27;s his last year because him and his team, they probably want the farewell LeBron tour,&quot; he explained.</p><p>O&#x27;Neal&#x27;s fellow analyst on ESPN&#x27;s &quot;Inside the NBA&quot;, Kenny Smith, said the fact that James is continuing to perform at the highest level -- and is also playing with eldest son Bronny -- will persuade him to extend.</p><p>&quot;I just don&#x27;t think his retirement is imminent here,&quot; Smith said. &quot;Only because, you know, he&#x27;s super productive still at this stage in his career. And he&#x27;s getting an opportunity to play with his son. That&#x27;s a unique situation,&quot; Smith said.</p><p>&quot;So all of the things that point to one more year are happening. His production, his playing time, lack of injury, his son — all those things point to, &#x27;I&#x27;m still playing.&#x27;&quot;</p><p>rcw/bb</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9ma3YPUmS4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The tears had barely dried on LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers uniform before the debate began anew. Is the NBA's reigning monarch -- "King James" -- ready to give up his throne?</p>

The tears had barely dried on LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers uniform before the debate began anew. Is the NBA's reigning monarch -- "King James" -- ready to give up his throne?

If not now, when? LeBron tears stoke retirement talk

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If not now, when? LeBron tears stoke retirement talk

Agence France-Presse

Published Jan 30, 2026 06:49 AM PHT

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