Former Lakers Player Expects LeBron James To 'Go Out With A Bang' If Next Season Is His Last

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is heading into his 23rd campaign in the NBA, a monumental feat for any professional athlete. Given James' sustained productivity, former Lakers forward Wesley Johnson shared his thoughts on what fans can expect from the 40-year-old heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

While making an appearance on the "Lakers Nation" channel, Johnson said:

"It's hard to say. I know he plays his cards close to his chest. I think one thing you can say about him, he’s gonna come in the season ready. So, regardless if he’s on this team or not, whatever is his last season, or whatever, anything you want to say and speculate, you just know you’re gonna get the best version of LeBron whenever he steps on that floor. So if it’s the last season, it’s gonna be a hell of a season, because if he’s gonna go out with a bang. So it’s gonna be fun to see."

While players tend to decline much earlier in their careers, James has remained steady. Although his athleticism has waned to some extent,  he has found ways to navigate and overcome these challenges through pure displays of skill and intelligence.

An interesting point Johnson addressed was regarding James' tenure with the Lakers. Given the trade rumors and speculations in the offseason, many claimed that the superstar wouldn't be suiting up for the Purple and Gold.

Although there were inquiries about trades involving James, this chatter seems to have died down. Instead, teams appear to be more interested in the forward if he is bought out by the Lakers at some point during the season.

Thus, it seems more likely that the forward will be returning to the Lakers for the final year of his contract. This has been viewed favorably, as Luka Doncic extended his support and expressed a desire to have James retire as a Laker.

In this regard, the upcoming season is full of possibilities. In light of the signings the Purple and Gold have made in the offseason, the Lakers certainly feature a more competitive roster, reflecting their intentions of contending for a title right away.

Heading into next season, should James remain a core member of the roster, the Lakers can still rely on him being a key contributor, although the shift towards Doncic being the focal point seems to be apparent.

When considering his averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season, it is safe to say that even at 40 years old, LeBron James will be one of the best players on the floor at any given point.

Should James retire at the end of the season, it would mark the end of one of the greatest careers the NBA has witnessed. However, if he chooses to test the free agency market in the summer of 2026, the superstar will see a lot of interest from teams looking to contend for the title.