LeBron James contract update still may not answer one big question

James, who turns 41 on Dec. 30, hasn't said whether next season will be his last. His agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, acknowledged James is nearing the end of his career but didn't reveal when he plans to retire.

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Paul said, per Charania. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that but values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers a critical part of his career. 

"We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him."

James has a no-trade clause in his contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. However, it wouldn't be surprising if he doesn't sign another deal. Per Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, he recently said, "I can't play that much further." 

Charania also reported James was overheard at a dinner in New York this past week, saying his wife, Savannah, wants him to "retire in the next year or so."

James — the NBA's all-time leading scorer (42,184 points in 22 seasons) — has already solidified himself as a future Hall of Famer. He may be playing one more season to win his fifth championship. 

The Lakers give him a solid chance of doing that. As of Sunday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives L.A. +1400 odds to win the 2025-26 NBA title, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the league's sixth best. 

If James doesn't win a title, it's unclear whether that would affect his retirement plans. Until he clarifies them, rumors about his future may continue to swirl.