December 23, 2025 – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James offered a subtle yet firm indication of his future plans during a recent podcast appearance, dismissing speculation surrounding his potential retirement while simultaneously acknowledging his ambitions to break another historic NBA record.
Despite averaging a career-low 20.2 points per game this season—a figure impacted by early-season injuries and a double-digit scoring drought—James is within striking distance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding record of 1074 regular season wins. The feat, which would make him the NBA’s all-time leader in regular season victories, could potentially incentivize a return to the court for a further season.
However, James quickly quashed such notions during an interview with his podcast co-host, Steve Nash. “Leave me alone. Leave me alone. Steve, don’t do this. Don’t do this,” he stated, emphatically rejecting any attempts to press him on his future plans. “I’m not going for that record.”
The Lakers, currently holding 55 regular season games remaining, would still require James to play in the next season, even if they win every game. Despite opting into his $52.6 million player option for this season, James will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
This stance differs significantly from his approach when he initially pursued Abdul-Jabbar’s record in January 2023, when he confidently declared, “I’m going to do it. It’s just a matter of time when I’m going to do it. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be in this league for at least a few more years.”
However, three years have passed since that pronouncement, and James remains active, although recent injuries and a reduced level of performance have raised questions about his long-term plans.
Recently, James engaged in a humbling experience, participating in practice sessions with the South Bay Lakers, the NBA G League affiliate team. “I mean, it’s part of my buildup, and it’s part of my love of the game,” he explained. “Literally, it could have been the South Bay Lakers, or it could have been going to a recreation center and playing five-on-five versus guys. I had the luxury of having the South Bay Lakers here in town while our big guys are out on the road right now. So I was able to take advantage of it and be super humbled about it.”
Despite this reflective moment, some critics have voiced concerns about James’s durability, suggesting the reduced playing time reflects a potential overextension. Nevertheless, James remains tight-lipped about his intentions for next season, leaving the possibility of pursuing the record—and potentially extending his illustrious career—open.