LeBron James Says He Won’t Delay Retirement to Play with Son Bryce

The four-time NBA champion is on the eve of what would be an NBA-record 23rd season.

LeBron James will say goodbye to basketball when the time comes — a decision he will make himself.

The Los Angeles Lakers star, 40, spoke with the media on Monday, Sept. 29, in a press conference, during which he addressed whether he will extend his time in the NBA enough to share the court with his son, Bryce.

The 18-year-old college freshman currently plays basketball for the University of Arizona.

LeBron James and Bryce James at The 2023 ESPYS held at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.


LeBron James and Bryce James at the 2023 ESPYs.

His father told reporters with a laugh, “I’m not sitting here.

No, I’m not waiting on Bryce.”

LeBron didn’t completely close the door to the possibility of sharing the court with Bryce, but attributed his current outlook to time.

“I don’t know what his timeline is,” the father of three said.

“He’s his own young man now.

He’s down in Tucson.

We’ll see what happens this year, next year, you know, but he has his own timeline.”.

He continued: “I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up, but we’ll see.”.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.


LeBron James in March 2025.

LeBron is on the eve of what would be an NBA-record 23rd season.

In July 2024, LeBron re-signed with the Lakers to share the court with his oldest son, Bronny, 20.

That October, the father-son duo made history when they both played for the Lakers, facing off against the Phoenix Suns in a preseason game.

The matchup marked the first time a father and son have ever played together in any NBA game.

Days later, they got to share the court again during a regular NBA season matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day


Bronny James and LeBron James.

Whether they’ll get to share the court for a second season is something they “don’t really talk about,” Bronny told reporters in July.

“I think when stuff like that does come up, he just tells me to not worry about it, to not even pay attention to it [and] just lock into what you have going on right now,” he said.

“And that’s what’s going to get me better and to keep me focused. I think it’s good that he tells me to not pay attention to that stuff.”.

The Lakers’ 2025-2026 season starts on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC when they play the Golden State Warriors.