LeBron James is deep into his 23rd NBA season, and while he hasn’t officially announced when he’ll hang up the sneakers, the end of an era feels closer than ever. The speculation around his retirement is growing louder, and the league is already beginning to reflect on what life without LeBron might look like.
During All-Star Weekend, the future of the league crossed paths with its present-and its past. Victor Wembanyama, the 7’4” phenom from the San Antonio Spurs, was asked whether he expected to get emotional when LeBron eventually retires. His response was honest and telling: “No, I’m not gonna shed a tear, but it’s gonna be very weird for sure.”
That sentiment captures what a lot of players-and fans-are feeling. LeBron has been a fixture in the NBA for over two decades. His presence is so ingrained in the fabric of the game that imagining the league without him feels almost surreal.
This season marks LeBron’s 23rd in the league, a stretch of longevity that’s almost unheard of in professional sports, especially at the level he’s still performing. He hasn’t just stuck around-he’s remained a force.
And that’s what continues to set him apart. Even now, at 41, he’s still putting up numbers, still impacting games, and still earning the respect of his peers.
That respect came through clearly during All-Star media sessions. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP and one of the league’s most cerebral players, spoke candidly about what LeBron’s durability means in today’s NBA.
“You can see how many players cannot stay healthy and cannot be in the league for such a long time,” Jokic said. “I think being in this league for so long-and I’m going to say producing the numbers-he’s still one of the best players in the league, even at this stage of his career.
He’s still making a change on the floor when he gets in and taking advantage. I think it’s impressive to see that someone is doing that for 22 years.”
That’s the thing about LeBron-he’s not just hanging on. He’s still commanding attention, still dictating the flow of games, still mentoring, leading, and producing.
And while the All-Star Game saw a shift this year-he wasn’t voted a starter for the first time in his career-he still earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection. That streak alone is a testament to both his popularity and his performance.
Even players like Luka Dončić, who’s seen as one of the faces of the NBA’s next generation, have admitted they can’t imagine matching LeBron’s longevity. Luka recently said he couldn’t picture himself playing until 41. That’s not a knock on Luka-it’s just a reflection of how rare LeBron’s run truly is.
James Worthy, a Lakers legend in his own right, even floated the idea that LeBron should write a book on longevity. And why not?
Few athletes in any sport have maintained this level of excellence for this long. It’s not just about physical conditioning-it’s about adapting, evolving, and staying mentally sharp year after year.
As the league continues to evolve, LeBron James remains both a link to the past and a blueprint for the future. Whether this is his final season or not, the NBA is already preparing for a world without him on the court. And while players like Wembanyama might not shed tears, there’s no doubt the league will feel very different when that day finally comes.