The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025–26 National Basketball Association (NBA) campaign came to a disappointing end after the team were swept 4–0 by reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, closing out a postseason run that fell well short of championship expectations.
The early playoff exit has once again intensified speculation surrounding the future of Lakers superstar LeBron James, who is now 41 years old and firmly in the twilight of a career widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history. With his current contract situation and retirement timeline still uncertain, questions continue to swirl about how much longer the league’s all-time leading scorer will remain active.
James himself has acknowledged that no final decision has been made regarding his future beyond the current season, leaving the door open for multiple possibilities as he weighs the next chapter of his career. While the Los Angeles Lakers organization has yet to publicly indicate any changes, the uncertainty has naturally sparked debate across the basketball world about whether the veteran forward will return for another season or consider retirement.
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Adding to the conversation, former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins offered a bold and highly optimistic assessment of James’ longevity, suggesting that the veteran could still have significant playing years ahead of him if he chooses to continue competing at the highest level.
I asked DeMarcus Cousins his thoughts on potentially seeing LeBron James’ last ever game in the NBA. He gave an incredibly thoughtful and reflective response:
“I think he’s got another 10 years left. For a guy who I grew up watching as a kid, I was a part of his camps as a young… pic.twitter.com/rU9FD8xe1m
— Damien Peters (@DamienPetersNBA) May 13, 2026
“I think he has got another 10 years left. I can’t do that now. For a guy who I grew up watching as a kid, he outlasted me. I was a part of his camps as a young kid – it will be a sad day. I’m a guy that appreciates LeBron James,” Cousins said in a media interaction.
Cousins, who entered the NBA in 2010 and last played in 2022 with the Denver Nuggets, reflected on his admiration for James’ longevity, discipline, and influence on younger generations of players. Despite having already stepped away from the league himself, the 35-year-old emphasized that James’ impact extends far beyond statistics and championships.
“I know a lot of people hate him, I’m a guy that appreciates his legacy and what he has done for the game and young athletes. Creating a blueprint on how to carry yourself on and off the court, how to take care of your body and be the ultimate professional. I appreciate everything he has brought to the game,” he added.
Cousins also highlighted James’ role as a standard-bearer for professionalism and longevity in modern basketball, pointing to the forward’s meticulous approach to fitness and recovery as a major factor behind his unprecedented career span.
Beyond the speculation and opinions, Cousins made it clear that he believes James’ eventual departure from the game will be a significant moment for the sport as a whole, given his generational impact on and off the court.
“Whenever he decides to make it his last, I hope he gets the flowers he deserves,” he concluded.
As the offseason begins, attention now turns to both the Lakers’ roster direction and LeBron James’ personal decision, which remains one of the most closely watched storylines in professional basketball heading into the next NBA season.
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