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As of June 2025, LeBron James has not retired from basketball. The 40-year-old, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA and is chasing a fifth championship. James has, however, confirmed that he will retire from Team USA and will not be participating in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He has also hinted at a potential career in acting once he retires from the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement | LeBron James has not retired from basketball but has hinted at it. |
| Retirement from Team USA | James has confirmed that he will retire from Team USA. |
| Future Plans | James has expressed interest in acting and storytelling after his retirement from basketball. |
| Current Status | James is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. |
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What You'll Learn
LeBron James' post-basketball career plans
LeBron Raymone James Sr., nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances. James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Despite his success in the NBA, James has expressed uncertainty about his future in the league. After the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, James shared that he was unsure about his plans to continue playing in the NBA. He stated that he would discuss his future with his family and make a decision.
While James has not explicitly announced his retirement from basketball, he has hinted at potential career moves after his NBA career. One of his interests lies in acting, and he has expressed a desire to explore characters that resonate with him. James has previously appeared in films such as Trainwreck and Space Jam: A New Legacy, but he wants to take on roles that are separate from his own persona.
In addition to acting, James has a passion for storytelling and has ventured into film production with his company, SpringHill Company, which has produced titles such as Hustle and Space Jam: A New Legacy. He also leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has made significant contributions to the community, including opening an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.
James has also been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C. since 2011 and has accumulated wealth through numerous endorsement contracts. He was the first player in NBA history to earn $1 billion while still active in the league. With his diverse interests and ventures, James is keeping an open mind about his post-basketball career, ready to explore new opportunities that come his way.
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Los Angeles Lakers' plans for the future
As of 2025, LeBron James has not retired from basketball. He is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers' plans for the future are currently unclear, but they are exploring ways to strengthen their roster and build a more balanced group around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. They have already made some interesting moves in the NBA Draft, such as trading up ten spots in the second round to draft Adou Thiero out of Arkansas. They also acquired a generational talent in Luka Dončić, reshaping their present and future.
The Lakers are a star-driven organization, and their recent focus has been on other means of improving their team through free agency. However, the free-agent market for centers is relatively barren, and they are pursuing Brook Lopez, who may not be a good fit with Dončić. They are also considering trading for a center and looking at wings in free agency, prioritizing defense.
The Lakers will also need to consider LeBron James's future, as he has the option to extend his contract for the 2025-26 season. If he decides to play longer, the team will need to discuss his happiness as a Laker and whether he would consider taking a discount to help bolster their supporting cast.
In addition to their basketball operations, the Lakers organization has been active off the court through the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron. LeBron James himself has also been successful off the court, with numerous endorsement contracts, media appearances, and production ventures.
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James' career achievements
LeBron Raymone James, nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has had an illustrious career spanning over two decades.
James is the first player in NBA history to accumulate over $1 billion in earnings as an active player. He has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances, with eight consecutive appearances between 2011 and 2018. He also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers and has claimed three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team. James has been selected for the NBA All-Star team 21 times, won four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, and three All-Star Game MVP awards. He also led the U.S. Olympic team in 2008, known as the "Redeem Team", to a gold medal victory.
James holds several statistical records in the NBA. He is the only player to record at least 36 points, 15 assists, and 0 turnovers in a game, and the first and only player to pass scoring marks of 6,000, 7,000, and 8,000 points in a postseason career. He holds the record for the most playoff games with at least 10, 20, 30, and 40 points. Additionally, James is one of two players in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game, and one of three players to record a triple-double with at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game.
Beyond his athletic achievements, James has made significant contributions off the court. He co-founded the SpringHill Company, an entertainment production company, in 2020. He has also been actively involved with the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has worked to uplift at-risk youth and provide educational resources to families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The foundation has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron. James has also been recognised in Time's 100 most influential people in the world on four occasions, the most selections for a professional athlete.
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James' off-court achievements
As of June 2025, LeBron James has not retired from basketball and is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA. However, he has hinted at a potential career in acting after his retirement from the sport.
James has had several achievements off the basketball court, including his role as an activist, entrepreneur, and role model. Here are some of his notable off-court achievements:
Philanthropy and Community Impact
James established the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004, just a year after he was drafted into the NBA. The foundation focuses on creating "generational change" for children and families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, by providing educational programs, scholarships, and community initiatives. The foundation has opened an elementary school, a housing complex, a retail plaza, and a medical centre in Akron. It also supports the I PROMISE school, which caters to at-risk children by offering free tuition, meals, and guaranteed university admission.
Business Ventures
James has been involved in numerous business projects, including media and entertainment companies. He co-founded the SpringHill Company, an entertainment production company responsible for titles like "Hustle" and "Space Jam: A New Legacy." Additionally, he owns a video production company (SpringHill Entertainment) and a designer retail store. James has also invested in professional sports franchises, becoming a part-owner of Liverpool F.C. and other sports entities.
Endorsements and Wealth
LeBron James is the first NBA player to accumulate $1 billion in earnings while still active. He has endorsed numerous products and has been featured in television commercials.
Social and Political Advocacy
James has used his influence to address social and political issues, notably supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and speaking out against racial inequality.
Entertainment and Media
Beyond his business ventures, James has made appearances in films and television shows, including "Space Jam: A New Legacy," "Trainwreck," and "Entourage." He also hosted "Saturday Night Live."
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James' Olympic career
LeBron Raymone James Sr., nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances. In addition to ranking fourth in NBA career assists and sixth in NBA career steals, James holds several individual honours, including four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, three All-Star Game MVP awards, the inaugural NBA Cup MVP, and the Olympics MVP in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
James made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where he earned a bronze medal. During this tournament, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game.
In 2008, James led Team USA to a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. During the tournament, he averaged 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He repeated this feat at the 2012 London Olympics, where he maintained impressive averages of 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
At the 2024 Summer Olympics, James became the first player in Olympic history to record two triple-doubles. Team USA went on to win their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game. James concluded the tournament with averages of 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, earning him the FIBA Men's Olympics MVP honour.
James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His Olympic career has been illustrious, with three gold medals and one bronze medal.
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Frequently asked questions
No, LeBron James is not retired from basketball. He is currently preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Yes, James has hinted at retiring more than once in recent seasons. In a recent interview, he confirmed that he will not be participating in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James said that he would like to explore acting opportunities when he eventually retires from basketball. He also said that he is keeping an open mind about his post-basketball career.
James has been involved in numerous off-court endeavours, including endorsement contracts, books, documentaries, and television commercials. He co-founded the entertainment production company SpringHill Company in 2020 and has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C. since 2011. He also leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has initiated several community development projects in Akron.
