For the last couple of years, people have speculated in earnest about how soon LeBron James will retire from the NBA. That speculation has grown louder this summer after he exercised the player option on his contract for the 2025-26 season.

Some feel there is a strong possibility that this will be James’ swan song in the league. But others seem to think he will continue playing afterward, whether it is with the Los Angeles Lakers or another team.

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One NBA executive says that he thinks unless the Lakers win the NBA championship this coming season, or James’ production falls off a cliff, James will remain in the league past 2026.

Via Lakers Daily:

“I think LeBron plays one or two more seasons unless the Lakers win it all next year,” the NBA executive said. “Bryce [James] will be eligible for the 2026 draft. There are some whispers that LeBron wants to play with him too.

“We’ll see what happens, but I just can’t see LeBron retiring after next season. He’s still too good of a player to just walk away. Unless there’s a huge drop-off in his production or the Lakers win the championship, I think LeBron is playing in 2026-27.”

While the Lakers have made some significant roster upgrades this summer, most people do not consider them to be championship contenders right now, making an NBA title for them this season an unlikely scenario.

The younger James will be a freshman for the University of Arizona Wildcats this fall. He stands 6-foot-6 and has ample athleticism, and depending on what he does this season, he could have potential as an NBA rotation player.

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The elder James’ other son, Bronny, is currently a member of the Lakers. Bronny James mostly played in the G League last season as a rookie, although he was shuffled back and forth between the G League and the NBA, and some expect him to get meaningful playing time in the big leagues this coming season.

The 40-year-old superstar continued to play at his accustomed level during the 2024-25 campaign and was named to both the NBA All-Star Game and the All-NBA Second Team. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he still performs at that same level this fall, winter and spring yet again.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: NBA executive feels it’s unlikely LeBron James will retire in 2026