In a moment that will be etched into the history of basketball forever, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, the Lakers organization, and fans around the world with a major announcement that left even newly appointed head coach JJ Redick utterly speechless.
The four-time NBA Champion, 20-time All-Star, and universally regarded basketball legend took the center stage at Crypto.com Arena just hours before the Lakers’ summer training session was set to begin. Rumors had swirled for weeks that something significant was brewing behind the scenes, but few could have predicted the magnitude of the revelation that was about to unfold.
And then, with a calm but commanding voice, LeBron uttered the words:
โItโs time. IT IS DONE. This upcoming season will be my final one in the NBA.โ
The Announcement That Shook the Sports World
After a remarkable 22-season career, LeBron James announced he will officially retire from professional basketball at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 NBA season. The news immediately ignited a firestorm of emotional reactions from fans, fellow athletes, sports analysts, and, most notably, Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who was reportedly unaware that such an announcement was imminent.
โI’m still processing it,โ Redick said moments after the press conference. โWhen you work with a legend like LeBron, you prepare for greatness, not for goodbyes. This is bigger than basketball.โ
Why Now? The Motivation Behind the Decision
During the press conference, LeBron opened up about his reasoning. โIโve always said Iโll know when itโs time. Iโve given this game everything I have โ my body, my heart, my soul,โ he said. โNow itโs time to give that same energy to my family, my businesses, my passions beyond the hardwood. I want to walk away on my terms, while Iโm still able to dominate, and more importantly, inspire.โ
He also mentioned his desire to spend more time with his children โ particularly his sons Bronny and Bryce, who are both climbing their own basketball ladders with considerable attention. Bronny, now a Lakers teammate after being drafted this year, will play this final season alongside his father โ a historic pairing that marks the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history.
โI get to share the court with my son,โ LeBron said, smiling. โThatโs something bigger than championships. Thatโs legacy.โ
The Reactions: Fans, Teammates, and Legends Speak Out
Within minutes of the announcement, social media platforms erupted with tributes, farewell messages, and memories of LeBronโs storied career.
Magic Johnson tweeted,
โWhat LeBron has done for the Lakers, for the NBA, and for the game of basketball itself โ there are no words big enough. Itโs been a joy watching his greatness. One final ride!โ
Stephen Curry, a longtime rival and friend, posted,
โMuch love and respect to the King. Weโve battled, competed, and grown together in this league. It wonโt be the same without #6.โ
Even Michael Jordan, often cited in the same breath as LeBron in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation, released a rare statement:
โLeBronโs impact on the game, on the culture, and on generations of young athletes is undeniable. Congratulations on a legendary career โ and enjoy the final chapter.โ
JJ Redick: โWe Are Playing for Something More Nowโ
New Lakers coach JJ Redick, who took over the reins earlier this year, now faces a season charged with heightened meaning. โCoaching LeBron in his final year? Thatโs pressure and privilege at the highest level,โ Redick remarked. โWe arenโt just chasing wins now โ weโre writing the final chapter of one of the greatest sports stories ever told.โ
Redick emphasized that the teamโs mission is clear: send LeBron out as a champion.
โEveryone in the locker room is locked in. No distractions. No excuses. This is a farewell tour, yes โ but itโs also a mission for banner number 18.โ
The Career in Numbers: A Living Legend
LeBronโs career statistics are almost mythical in scale. Here are just a few of the historic achievements heโll leave behind:
- Most points in NBA history (Over 42,000 and counting)
- 4ร NBA Champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 4ร NBA MVP
- 20ร All-Star
- 2 Olympic Gold Medals
- Most All-NBA First Team selections in history
- Only player to score 40+ points against all 30 NBA teams
But beyond the numbers, LeBron has built an empire both on and off the court โ from SpringHill Entertainment and his work in film and television, to the I PROMISE School he founded in Akron, Ohio.
What Comes After Retirement?
โIโm not disappearing,โ LeBron laughed. โIโll still be around. Whether itโs ownership, storytelling, mentoring, or activism โ this isnโt the end of LeBron James. Just the end of the playing chapter.โ
Many speculate LeBron may eye an ownership stake in an NBA franchise โ particularly the long-rumored expansion team in Las Vegas, where heโs openly said heโd love to be involved.
Heโs also expected to double down on his efforts in Hollywood and media, where he already holds considerable influence through his production company.
The Final Season: The โKingโs Last Danceโ Tour
The Lakers have announced that LeBronโs final season will feature a league-wide farewell tour, reminiscent of Kobe Bryantโs 2015-2016 season. Ticket sales are already surging, with fans across the country eager to see the King one last time in person.
Every arena he visits is expected to pay tribute in its own way โ and the NBA is planning a series of commemorative events throughout the year, including a โLeBron Nightโ in every city, an exclusive documentary in the works with ESPN, and a possible statue reveal outside Crypto.com Arena before his final home game.
The Legacy: Beyond Basketball
LeBron James has long been more than an athlete. Heโs been an icon, a philanthropist, an advocate for social justice, a father, and a businessman.
From his early days as a high school phenom on the cover of Sports Illustrated to becoming the NBAโs all-time leading scorer, LeBron has rewritten what it means to be a superstar in modern sports.
โLeBron redefined greatness,โ said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. โNot just with what he achieved, but with how
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