LeBron James ‘Blessed’ To Be On Time Magazine Cover

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) warms up prior to game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) warms up prior to game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

LeBron James ‘Blessed’ To Be On Time Magazine Cover

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Ron Gutterman | Last updated Jun 11, 2026 4:20 PM ET

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Time Magazine made LeBron James the cover of their “100 most influential people in sports” package, a massive honor for the all-time great. The Los Angeles Lakers star just completed his 23rd NBA season — a first in league history — by leading his team to a playoff series win despite missing their best player in Luka Doncic.

There is not a better athlete to represent this century than James, as he is the only athlete to have played in virtually every year of the century thus far. He was drafted in 2003, and is still a fantastic player 23 years later. He reacted to being named the cover athlete on social media:

Beyond Grateful and Blessed!! https://t.co/92UPH8cjuP

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 9, 2026

The cover story breaks down all sorts of elements of his career and where he currently stands, and it’s added more fuel to the conversation surrounding his future. James is an unrestricted free agent — not by choice — for the first time in his career, and he has some big decisions ahead of him.

The first is if he wants to continue playing in the NBA for his 24th season at age 42. The second is what price he’s willing to play for. Finally, what team will he want to spend potentially the final year or years of his career with.

Regardless of his decision, James’ legacy is set in stone as arguably the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, and definitely the greatest overall career.

LeBron James outlines retirement decision

James spoke about what it will take for him to retire in a way that made it sound like he is more likely than not returning to the NBA. However, his decision-making process is all about the mental side of the game. He believes that if he’s mentally prepared, his body will follow suit.

“It’s up to the mind,” says James, 41. “Where the mind goes, the body will lay. When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2½ hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done. Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”

James will hopefully make a decision in the next couple weeks before NBA free agency officially begins, as what he does could affect the Lakers’ offseason plans as they put together their roster.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Lakers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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