Rob Pelinka: ‘We Would Love’ If LeBron James Retires From NBA With Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka “would love” if LeBron James retired from the NBA with the purple and gold.

James, 40, becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA.

“The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he’s going to continue to play,” Pelinka said on Thursday. “He’s earned that right. … We would love if LeBron’s story would be he retired a Laker. That would be a positive story.”

James joined the Lakers in 2018. He led the franchise to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.

LAL acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks last season. For the first time in his legendary career, James is not the most important player on his team.

It will be intriguing to see if James retires after next season or chooses to play in 2026-27. The basketball icon averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season in 70 games. He finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team.

During his Nike tour in China, James told Speedy Morman on 360 with Speedy that he will retire soon.

“I know I’m on the other side of the hump for sure,” James said. “I’m not about to play another 23 years. That’s for damn sure. And I’m not about to play another 10. So I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is. I’m not there yet, but I’m super blessed to be able to sit here, year 23, another signature shoe, I picked up golf.

“Listen guys, every time I pick up something new does not mean retirement. … But retirement is coming. It is coming. It’s just not here just yet.”

James became the leading scorer in NBA history with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season. He’s arguably the greatest player of all time.