LeBron James just wrapped up his 22nd season in the NBA, and once again, he didn’t rule out retirement from the world’s best basketball league. Sooner or later, that day will come—and “The King” didn’t hesitate to make a first decision that surprised everyone.

At 40 years old, LeBron averaged 24.4 points per game, his lowest scoring average since his rookie season. However, his basketball IQ once again proved that he can elevate his teammates’ performance, and he ended up playing a key role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers finish as the third-best team in the Western Conference.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs didn’t go as planned for the Lakers, and after being eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 1–4 series loss, LeBron James began speaking about his future with more doubts than certainties.

“I’ll sit down with my family, my wife, and my support group and talk about it, and see what happens. And I’ll just have a conversation with myself about how much longer I want to keep playing,” said LeBron James before making a first decision about his future.

LeBron and the first decision about his future that surprised the entire NBA

LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo: Getty Images)

While the mystery of what LeBron will decide for the next NBA season remains unresolved, James made it clear what he won’t do once he retires.
“No way. No way, guys… Thank you for the kind question, but it’s not going to happen. No team. Zero chance. Zero chance. If you’re keeping count at home—zero chance,” said “The King” when asked on the Mind the Game podcast whether he would consider becoming a coach in the NBA.

What LeBron James is expected to do next season in the NBA

Journalist Shams Charania of ESPN reported in May 2025 that the most likely scenario is that LeBron James will exercise his $52.6 million player option to play one more season with the Los Angeles Lakers.