LeBron James has defied time for more than two decades, rewriting NBA history one season at a time. But as he enters Year 23, even the biggest legends of the game are beginning to wonder if the end is finally near.
With a record-setting career, a new Nike collection, and his son now sharing the court with him, James has achieved nearly everything he dreamed of. Yet, Celtics great Paul Pierce believes the Lakers star is about to take his final bow.
The NBA Player Guessing Game allows you to guess the NBA player based on clues about their team, division, height, jersey number, points, and experience.
Why Does Paul Pierce Believe LeBron James’ Retirement Is Getting Close?
King James’ retirement has long been in conversation. Now, the 2008 NBA champion Pierce has added his voice to the chatter surrounding James’ future, and his take was as direct as it gets.
“If I’m a betting man, I think this will be his last season,” Pierce said. “You know, I think he’s played 21, 22 years. He’s been the GOAT for so long. He’s maintained the stats. We appreciate what he brought to the game and how he’s held the mantle since (Michael) Jordan left. Bron is one of them ones. We appreciate him. But I think his time is up. But we appreciate what he’s done for the league.”
Paul Pierce thinks this will be LeBron James last season in the NBA 👀
“He’s been the GOAT for so long, he’s maintained the stats… I think his time is up but we appreciate what he’s done for the league.” pic.twitter.com/Lo15gqbSDE
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 2, 2025
Pierce’s comments add fuel to the ongoing retirement chatter surrounding James, who opted into his $52.6 million player option earlier this summer. Now entering his 23rd season, a new NBA record, James will also turn 41 during the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite his age, his production remains elite. Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers forward averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51.3% shooting from the floor and nearly 38% from beyond the arc. That kind of efficiency has kept him in the conversation as one of the league’s top players, even as Father Time closes in.
How Has LeBron James’ Longevity Sparked Debate About the End of His Career?
Retirement speculation isn’t new for James. After the Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, he admitted he had “a lot to think about” when asked if he would continue playing.
Two years later, in June 2025, he stoked those rumors again with a viral Nike ad. The spot showed James being asked directly about retirement in a mock press conference before the screen abruptly cut to black. His caption read: “I’ve been asking myself the same question.”
While the reveal turned out to be a clever marketing play, the timing and tone kept the speculation alive. For many fans, the unanswered question in that clip echoed the uncertainty surrounding James’ future.
But beyond cryptic teasers, James has been clear about one dream: sharing the court with his son Bronny. In 2022, he told The Athletic, “My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be.”
That milestone was achieved last season when Bronny, drafted 55th overall in 2024, made his Lakers debut alongside his father on opening night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. For many, that seemed like the perfect ending.
However, James has pushed on, determined to chase one more ring. His agent, Rich Paul, emphasized this summer that James is still locked in on winning a fifth NBA championship. And while he weighs the twilight of his career, the league and his longtime partner Nike have crowned him with a fitting tribute: the release of the “Forever King” collection, marking the launch of his 23rd signature shoe.
OFFICIAL: Nike introduces @KingJames‘ twenty-third signature shoe, the LeBron 23 👑
The Forever King story unfolds through 23 colorways, starting with Uncharted—celebrating LeBron as the first NBA player to hit 40K points.
🗓️ September 25th (China); October 3rd (Global) pic.twitter.com/fSFn8eDpa0
— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) September 3, 2025
So, Pierce may believe James’ retirement is near, but as the NBA veteran enters a record-setting season, only he knows when the final buzzer will sound on his legendary career.