Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is set to become the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons in 2025-26, but not everyone is a fan of his impressive achievement.
Former NBA journeyman Olden Polynice, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, urges James to retire since the 40-year-old doesn’t have anything left to prove.
“The longevity aspect, I think it’s getting a little bit too much now,” Polynice said about James in Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast. “Because I’m like, dude, what else you want to do? It’s time for you to start thinking about retiring.”
“He ain’t getting no fifth ring unless he buys one. It ain’t happening,” he added.
Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Insider reveals LeBron James’ projected retirement timeline
LeBron James is coming off yet another productive year with the Los Angeles Lakers. The four-time NBA champion made it to the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in the MVP race after averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51.3 percent shooting from the field across 70 regular season starts.
However, James has battled injuries in the past few months, and ESPN’s Shams Charania stated that the 2025-26 campaign could be the King’s final year.
“Year 23 for No. 23. They have the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. So, to me, it’s very storybook if that’s the way it goes. But that’s a decision that he’s gotta make,” Charania said recently on the Pat McAfee Show.
