Paul Pierce reveals when LeBron James will retire: "He will leave.."
The former Boston Celtics legend has given his opinion on the current Los Angeles Lakers player.
Paul Pierce, Hall of Famer and legend of the Boston Celtics, stated that LeBron James will retire from the NBA after the 2025-26 season, thus ending one of the most legendary careers in basketball history.
James, 40 years old, is currently the oldest active player in the league. Since his debut in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has been one of the most influential figures on and off the court. Pierce, former star of the Boston Celtics and champion in 2008, gave his opinion on the future of "King James": “If I had to bet, I think this will be his last season. He has played 21, 22 years. He has been the GOAT for so long. He has maintained the statistics. We appreciate what he has brought to the game and how he has upheld the standard since (Michael) Jordan left. Bron is one of those. We appreciate him. But I think his time is up. That said, we appreciate what he has done for the league,” he stated.
In December, James will turn 41. In the 2025-26 season, he will earn a salary of $52.6 million from Los Angeles Lakers, and upon its conclusion, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018.
Throughout his career, LeBron James has won four NBA championships and has worn the jerseys of the Cleveland Cavaliers (in two stints), Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. His career averages reflect his greatness: 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He is also the only player in NBA history to rank in the top five in both points and assists.
The Future of LeBron James
He has also been a four-time regular-season MVP and a four-time Finals MVP, solidifying his legacy as one of the best, if not the best, players of all time. However, it is still unknown whether the Akron native intends to extend his career until the 2026-27 season.
Should he decide to continue, there are already teams interested in his services. An NBA executive stated that several franchises are eyeing him: “Cleveland, Dallas, and Golden State are the three teams I'm watching. They would all have loved to get him this past summer, but he never requested a trade and his salary is too high. Once he's on the market, those three will go after him. I have no doubt about that,” he pointed out.
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