The King at 40: Still Rewriting the Record Books
LeBron James is no ordinary athlete. In his 22nd NBA season and at 40 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers star continues to do what no other player in history has done.
During the 2024–25 season, LeBron became the first player ever to surpass 50,000 combined career points in the regular season and playoffs, reaching the milestone on March 4, 2025, in a dominant win over the Pelicans. He finished that game with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, adding yet another historic performance to his unparalleled resume.
Earlier that season, at 39 years and 319 days, LeBron became the oldest player in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles, breaking his own previous record. He followed that up by becoming the first 40-year-old to post multiple triple-doubles, further cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. And in late March, he dropped 42 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists, making him the oldest player to score 40+ in a game.
In the same season, James became the first player in NBA history to:
- Play in the league as both a teenager and at age 40
- Appear in 22 NBA seasons, tying Vince Carter
- Attempt over 30,000 field goals and miss more than 15,000, a mark of volume, endurance, and responsibility few could shoulder
A Legacy That Transcends Numbers
While the stats alone are jaw-dropping, LeBron’s impact runs deeper.
He’s won four NBA titles (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020), four Finals MVPs, and four regular-season MVPs. He holds the record for:
- Most All-NBA First Team selections (13)
- Most All-Star appearances (21)
- Most 30-point games in league history (over 560)
- Most consecutive games scoring 10+ points (1,292 and counting)
Beyond the hardwood, he changed the game’s business. He spearheaded player empowerment, reshaped athlete branding, founded SpringHill Entertainment, and became a leading voice for social and racial justice. He launched a public school, influenced global fandom, and led by example as a husband, father, and businessman.
Few athletes in any sport—Jordan, Serena, Brady, Messi—have combined excellence, endurance, and cultural relevance the way LeBron has.
Whispers of Retirement
With his 40th birthday behind him and every major milestone achieved, speculation is mounting: Is 2025–26 his final season?
James exercised his $52.6 million player option to return to the Lakers for this season, but has not publicly committed beyond that. Some insiders, including former players and league executives, suggest that this could be a soft farewell tour. Others believe he’s waiting to see how this year unfolds—with family, health, and his competitive fire all factored in.
His wife, Savannah, has reportedly encouraged him to consider retirement, and LeBron himself admitted in postgame comments that the end is 'closer than ever before'.
The Bronny Factor: History in the Making
In June 2025, LeBron and his son Bronny James made history as the first father-son duo to play for the same NBA franchise. Bronny was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick, and while his role will be developmental, the symbolism is powerful.
LeBron has long spoken about his dream of playing alongside his son. Now that it’s happened, some believe he may feel satisfied enough to walk away.
But he’s not just a father on the bench—LeBron is still averaging over 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, making a case that he’s still one of the top 20 players in the league even at 40.
Lakers? Retirement Tour? Or One Last Twist?
If LeBron decides to hang it up, expect a full-blown NBA-wide retirement tour next spring—complete with city-by-city tributes, jersey swaps, documentaries, and fanfare.
However, another possibility lingers—not about switching teams, but expanding his influence.
In summer 2025, LeBron was spotted in Europe meeting with Nikola Jokić’s agent, sparking initial rumors about a potential late-career move to Denver. But subsequent reports clarified that the meeting likely centered around business interests, including discussions of a potential European basketball venture or league development project. While fans speculated about a surprise final act on another NBA team, the reality may be that LeBron’s next chapter involves ownership, expansion, or global influence off the court—not just one more shot at a ring.
The Pressure to Leave, the Temptation to Stay
Few players ever get to choose their final moment.
Michael Jordan famously returned twice. Kobe Bryant delivered a 60-point farewell. Tom Brady nearly retired—twice.
For LeBron, the choice might come down to competing impulses: the desire to go out on his own terms, and the pull to keep pushing barriers no one else has touched.
He’s already rewritten the playbook for athletic longevity. Now, the question is: How will the final chapter end?
Final Take: End or Evolution?
Whether this is LeBron’s final season or just the prelude to one more surprise, one thing is certain: the end of an era is near.
And whenever the final buzzer sounds, basketball will never see another LeBron James. Not just because of the numbers—but because of the man.
