LeBron James

While general manager Rob Pelinka said before the season that he’d like LeBron James to retire with the Lakers, the buzz around the NBA is that this will be his final season in Los Angeles (whether he decides to continue playing or call it a career).

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Would you like to see a storybook ending with LeBron James coming back to Cleveland for his final year in the NBA? Johnny Manziel: I would like for him to do whatever — you know, the way they move and the way they are with Maverick and Rich and that whole crew, they’re going to make the best decision for them and what they want to do, right? They have the ability and the opportunity to do any and everything that they want — so if that’s going to Cleveland or wherever it may be, they’re on top of that but they’re some of the most genuine and smartest people on the face of the Earth and I was very fortunate of the time that I did spend with them and what I got to learn from them. ScoopB.com | Dec. 2, 2025

Takin' NBA: Tonight is the 6th time in LeBron's career where he didn't log a single rebound! Bluesky | Dec. 2, 2025

Lakers Daily: LeBron on if he needs the ball in his hands more instead of Luka's: "You go with what's been working. We have opportunities to change pitchers and switch pitchers. ... It's just one game. We won't get too crazy about it." x.com | Dec. 2, 2025

Duane Rankin: "That's him though I'd be more surprised if he wasnt." Mark Williams on Dillon Brooks as he had an interaction with LeBron James during his 33-point night in Suns win over Lakers. #Suns #LakeShow x.com | Dec. 2, 2025

James lingered by the Suns bench during a timeout late in the third quarter and barked at Brooks, who took great satisfaction in getting under the 40-year-old all-time leading scorer's skin. "He likes people that bow down," Brooks, 29, said of James. "I don't bow down. So, that either entices him or it aggravates him -- either-or." Brooks' energy and antics amuse and inspire the Suns, who are off to a refreshing 13-9 start, an impressive rebound from last season's 36-46 record. "Sometimes, I'm trying to tell him to chill out, but I think he just blacks out," said Phoenix point guard Collin Gillespie, who scored a career-high 28 points on Monday and whom Brooks has nicknamed "Villain Jr." due to his tenacity. "That's Dillon Brooks. It fuels us. Obviously, we love when he gets going. ESPN | Dec. 2, 2025

NBA stars (defined by the league as players who made an All-Star Game or an All-NBA team in the previous three seasons), entering play Monday, had missed 74 percent of games this season. Just more than a month into the regular season, stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Darius Garland, Ja Morant, Jalen Williams and Zion Williamson have missed significant time. Meanwhile, Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard have yet to suit up this season because of injury. “I would bet this year, it’s probably a combination of a little bit of a fluke, but also teams just being more cautious with their stars,” said Dr. Brian Schulz, an orthopedic surgeon who works with the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL. New York Times | Dec. 2, 2025

Redick said individual postseason awards have “never come up as something that’s important" in his discussions with James. “I want all my guys to get whatever award they deserve,” Redick said. “Of course, I want, you know, Austin, Luka, LeBron, like whoever, I want them to get awards. That's great for them, but ... the list of things that you have to worry about and think about as a player and coach, it's so far down the list.” Yahoo! Sports | Dec. 1, 2025

With James in his 23rd NBA campaign at age 40, it remains to be seen how many back-to-back games he will play this season. The Lakers have 10 sets left after Monday. "No, we're going to build him up, hopefully, to be able to play in back-to-backs,” Redick said. “That's the goal. But you are correct. Every back-to-back is a case-by-case. That's just the reality of the NBA right now. But we want him to be able to play in back-to-backs. So does he. So, we're going to work toward that.” Yahoo! Sports | Dec. 1, 2025

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Buzz around the NBA is that this will be LeBron James' final season with the Lakers whether he retires or not

Reporting by HoopsHype / Hoops Hype

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