LeBron James Turns 40 with All-NBA Honor—But His Agent Leaves Future Shrouded in Mystery

LeBron James keeps rewriting the history books, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, he flips the script once again. At 40 years old, he snagged a spot on an All-NBA team for the 21st consecutive season — yeah, you read that right — an unprecedented run that cements his place in basketball lore. Watching him reflect on this milestone, there’s a quiet awe in his words; it’s not just about the stats or the fame, but the sheer magnitude of what he’s accomplished over two decades. Now, after a 22-year odyssey filled with jaw-dropping plays, clutch moments, and even sharing the court with his son, Bronny, the lingering question—what’s next? Is retirement on the horizon or is there still fire left in the tank? LeBron himself hasn’t decided yet, leaning on those close to him for counsel while the basketball world waits with bated breath. His agent, Rich Paul, echoes the uncertainty, revealing their usual process remains the same — take it step by step and see where the heart leads. The Lakers, eyeing another championship push and fueled by the recent trade deadline shakeup, are ready to roll out the red carpet for him. This chapter is far from over — but the fine print? That’s a story still being written. LEARN MORE

“I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to that,” LeBron said after the Lakers were eliminated. “Something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and just kind of talk through it and see what happens. Just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So, we’ll see.”

The expectation in league circles is LeBron will return for at least one more season (and almost certainly with the Lakers, there is no real traction with the idea he could bolt back to Cleveland or another destination). He not only played at a high level this season, but also he was energized playing with his son, Bronny, and then found another gear after the Luka Doncic trade. The Lakers are just a move or two away from contending and Lebron would love a fifth ring. Plus, with the All-Star Game in Los Angeles this year, this could be a celebration of his career. The Lakers will give him whatever he wants to stay.“I have no idea, zero. Normally our process is, kind of weigh everything and see how he’s feeling and all those type of things… Same process it’s been for the last I don’t know how many years… He’ll come around to what he’s thinking at some point and we’ll kind of go over some things and go from there.”It’s almost irrational to think LeBron would walk away into retirement after a season where he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a night, was named All-NBA and got to play with his son. However, after 22 seasons anything is possible.

Does his agent and friend Rich Paul have any insight? No, Paul said on the Rich Eisen Show.Which he almost certainly will do, but nobody knows anything for certain yet, including his agent.Extending the record he already owned, on Friday LeBron James was named to an All-NBA team for the 21st consecutive year. He appreciates the magnitude of that accomplishment.