LeBron James –Journey to Year 23 with the Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James, the world basketball icon, will officially continue playing in the 2025–26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite turning 40, the superstar wearing the number 6 jersey has not stopped but still activated a 1-year contract extension worth 52.6 million USD, marking an unprecedented milestone in NBA history.

Continue to stick with Lakers

LeBron has exercised his player option in his current contract, keeping him with the Lakers for another season at a salary of $52.6 million, one of the highest in the NBA. The upcoming 2025–26 season will be his 23rd consecutive season in the world’s most prestigious professional basketball league, an unprecedented record.

Not just stopping – the condition to compete for the title

Not just a personal decision, LeBron and his agent Rich Paul sent a strong message: The Lakers need to upgrade their roster to compete for championships. Transfer targets like Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan are being pursued.

In case the team is not ambitious enough, LeBron can completely consider withdrawing or requesting a transfer.This is a “wake-up call” for the purple-gold team: either build a winning roster, or say goodbye to the greatest icon of their era.

Bronny James and the dream of father and son playing together

The Lakers selected Bronny James 55th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Fans are hoping for a historic moment when father and son play together. While the prospect of father and son playing together in the NBA is unprecedented, LeBron said he “won’t force it” if it’s not realistic. Bronny now faces a huge challenge to compete for a starting spot on the team. And he wants Bronny to “find his own path in his career.”

Timeless Achievement

Despite being 40 years old, LeBron has maintained an extremely impressive form last season:

• Averaging 24.4 points,

• 8.2 assists,

• 7.8 rebounds per game.

Not only is he the highest scorer in NBA history with over 40,000 points, but he is also approaching 1,800 professional games – surpassing legends like Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Experts say LeBron James is resetting standards for career longevity, physical endurance and tactical versatility, standards previously associated with athletes like Tom Brady (NFL) or Roger Federer (tennis).

Bright future behind the stadium lights

Along with his playing career, LeBron has built his own “media empire”:

• SpringHill Company – a production company for films, documentaries and sports shows;

• New sports documentaries are in development, chronicling the journey behind the scenes of the NBA.

In addition, LeBron has been invited to join Amazon Prime’s NBA analysis team, alongside names like Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. This shows his gradual transition to television after retirement, similar to how Tom Brady is preparing to join FOX Sports.

Retirement, TV or both

LeBron has said he will “know when it’s time to stop,” but he has remained silent on the question of when he will retire. Some unofficial sources say his family, especially his wife, are pushing him to retire early, but LeBron still wants to “go out on a winning note” rather than retire. 

With one more season with the Lakers, many believe 2025–26 could be his last, but there’s also a chance he could continue to set records that no one has ever achieved.

Inspiring sport through every shirt

Proudly wear the Bronny James jersey – a symbol of ambition and sportsmanship. Dynamic, individual design, suitable for fans who are following the new journey of the Lakers warrior. Confidently become a part of the basketball world.

Conclude

LeBron James is not only a basketball legend but also a global icon of perseverance, intelligence and social influence.

The fact that he continues to play for a 23rd season is a testament to his relentless desire and the “King James” spirit – not just to win more trophies but to create something unprecedented in the history of sport.