Austin Reaves avoids asking LeBron James about retirement

Oct 10, 2025 4:59 PM

LeBron James will begin his 23rd NBA season not on the court, but on the sidelines. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is dealing with sciatica on his right side, forcing him to miss the start of the regular season.

The injury, combined with his age and unprecedented longevity, has reignited speculation about when James might finally decide to retire.

For now, his teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are choosing not to press the issue.

Both guards have made it clear they want to respect James’ process as he works back into playing shape and makes decisions about his future on his own terms.

Doncic, in particular, has seen this process before – he played alongside Dirk Nowitzki during the final stretch of the Mavericks legend’s career and has described that experience as invaluable.

It gives him a unique perspective on what it means to share the floor with an all-time great nearing the end of his journey.

James enters this season under circumstances he has never faced before: an expiring contract. His $52.6 million deal runs through this year, and unlike every previous season in his career, there is no extra year or player option attached.

That detail alone has amplified questions about his next move, both in Los Angeles and beyond.

Fueling the uncertainty are comments from his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who recently suggested that James’ decisions will be guided by what’s best for him personally and by his pursuit of another championship.

Those remarks, combined with his contract status, have sparked speculation that James could explore a trade or buyout during the season – or leave the Lakers entirely when free agency arrives next summer.

For now, James remains focused on getting healthy and returning to the floor.

But with the clock ticking on both his recovery and his contract, the basketball world is watching closely to see what the next chapter of his legendary career will hold.