Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James Reminded of What He Owes Adam Silver

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 3:19 PM ET

For more than two decades, LeBron James has felt like a constant in the ever-changing world of the NBA, the player who somehow keeps rewriting expectations year after year. But as seasons pass and the mileage adds up, the conversations around how much longer he’ll keep going are starting to feel less hypothetical and more inevitable.

Fans have begun noticing the small signs that time eventually catches everyone, even the greatest. And with retirement whispers growing louder, the discussion isn’t just about when the end will come it’s about how it should happen. Some voices, including Evan Cohen, believe the next chapter carries a certain responsibility, one that goes beyond stats or championships and speaks to what LeBron means to the league and the people who’ve followed his journey from the start.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a call during a game.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

While speaking on a potential retirement for James, Cohen shared his thoughts on what he expects from the 41-year-old. He said, “I think in a way LeBron owes it to Adam Silver. I think in some ways, Adam Silver has done so much for LeBron James and the players that you know what? It’s not the worst thing in the world for LeBron with a tiny bit of payback here.”

Cohen also pointed out that, in his view, Commissioner Adam Silver has spent years doing everything possible to keep the league’s biggest star happy and the spotlight shining on him.

LeBron James owes a farewell tour to Adam Silver AND the fans @EvCoRadio | @msmallmon pic.twitter.com/oKD4RFUhBl
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE (@UnSportsESPN) February 16, 2026

Because of that, he feels LeBron James should give the NBA a heads-up before deciding to retire, rather than simply walking away at the end of a season.

The idea, he says, isn’t just about business though a farewell season would naturally boost interest and ticket demand but also about giving fans across the league one last chance to see LeBron play in person. In Cohen’s view, a planned goodbye would feel more fitting for a player of his stature, allowing the moment to be celebrated properly instead of ending suddenly without warning.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: