Should LeBron James Retire This Season? Latest Odds

A Decision Is on the Verge of Being Made

In his 23rd season with 22 All-Star appearances, four MVP awards, and four titles (with three different teams), is this when the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, LeBron James, finally decides it’s time to retire?

As of this mid-March writing, 41-year-old James and the Los Angeles Lakers have a record of 41-25, leading the league’s Pacific Division while sitting third (behind the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs).. 

It’s not been easy this season, as James is averaging ‘only’ 21.4 points per game, his lowest figure since his 2003-04 rookie season (20.9 points/game) with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Fighting Against Injuries 

To his credit, James has battled through injuries, which cost him 21 of LA’s first 66 games in 2025-26. Those maladies have included an injured right hip, left-knee arthritis, and issues with his foot/ankle. 

Ideally, James can get reasonably healthy before the start of the 2026 playoffs. It’s two seasons in a row LA has been dusted in the first round of the postseason (thrice in James’ seven seasons in SoCal), so he and his mates are out to rewrite some ugly history. 

As has been the case over the past number of seasons, ‘Is LeBron retiring?’ remains one of the storylines around the league. He was, by his own design, ‘free’ after a two-year contract extension signed with LA in July of 2024. Returning to the Lakers was the prohibitive favorite on the board, and he did just that.

James has been remarkably consistent throughout his career. averages of 26.8 points, 7½ rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. He’s been on the floor nearly 38 minutes per game and made more than half of his shots. That’s a good way to accumulate more than 43,000 points.

Here’s a bit of a primer on James before he eventually heads to the Naismith Hall of Fame…

What Team is LeBron James on in 2026?

LeBron James is currently in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers, with four NBA titles (and Finals MVP awards) to his credit (2012 and ‘13 with the Miami Heat, 2016 with the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, and 2020 in the ‘bubble’ with the Los Angeles Lakers).

NBA news confirms James’ teams made the Finals eight consecutive seasons (2011-18 inclusive).

Is LeBron James a Billionaire? 

The never-wrong internet estimates LeBron James’ net worth to be between $1.2 and $1.4 billion, more than $500 million in salary and $900 million in endorsements. So, no clipping coupons from the Sunday paper in that household.

As a point of reference regarding James and four titles during his career, Phil Jackson’s 13 rings (including two as a player with the New York Knickerbockers and 11 as a coach [six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers] is the overall leader in that category. Bill Russell’s 11 titles with the Boston Celtics are more than any other player (with two as player-coach),

Which Teams are Interested in LeBron James? 

There’s somewhat of a cottage betting industry regarding the next move of LeBron James. If not ‘Is LeBron retiring?’, then a third go-round with the Cleveland Cavaliers is the 3-2 (+150) favorite on the board, according to NBA odds. Those second choices are Golden State Warriors at 5-2 (+250), with the New York Knicks at 4-1 (+400), and the Denver Nuggets priced at 6-1 (+600). 

Dive a bit deeper, and you find both the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers at 8-1 (+800). Remaining with the Lakers isn’t listed. 

Any Final Thoughts?

While LeBron James has never been involved in an NBA trade, he’s been on the move any number of times during his career. He’s been favored to win the title quite a few times, but LA is currently an 80-1 proposition to win it this season, per NBA odds.