Wembanyama on LeBron’s Eventual Retirement: “No, I Won’t Shed Any Tears” - But He Gets It
As LeBron James inches closer to the end of his legendary NBA career, the league is already bracing for a seismic shift. And no one represents the future quite like Victor Wembanyama - the 7-foot-4 phenom who’s quickly becoming one of the game’s most compelling figures.
But when asked how he’ll feel when LeBron finally hangs it up, Wemby didn’t deliver some overly sentimental tribute. Instead, he gave us something better: honesty.
“No, I won’t shed any tears,” Wembanyama said with a laugh during NBA All-Star Media Day in Los Angeles. “But clearly, it’s going to feel weird.”
That response? It’s classic Wemby - lighthearted, real, and refreshingly unfiltered.
There’s no need for theatrics when you’re this secure in your own rising star. But behind the humor, there’s also a quiet acknowledgment of what LeBron’s departure will mean for the league.
Wembanyama knows the NBA is changing. And he’s not just ready for it - he’s helping shape what comes next.
LeBron, of course, has been the face of the NBA for two decades. From MVPs to titles to off-court influence, his impact is unmatched.
But even he has joked about the new wave of talent coming in - especially Wembanyama. At Fanatics Fest, James quipped that if Wemby keeps swatting his shots “into the stands,” it might be time to call it a career.
That kind of banter says a lot. There’s mutual respect, sure, but also a recognition that the next generation is arriving - and fast.
This isn’t just about stats or highlight reels. It’s about a changing of the guard.
LeBron, the all-time great, is nearing the end. Wembanyama, the once-in-a-generation talent, is just getting started.
And moments like this - a simple, candid answer at a media scrum - remind us that Wemby isn’t just a physical marvel. He’s got the poise and presence of someone who already understands the weight of the moment.
LeBron’s eventual retirement will be a turning point for the NBA. That’s not up for debate.
He’s been more than a player - he’s been a cultural force, a standard-setter, a blueprint for greatness. The league will look and feel different when he’s gone.
But it won’t be lost. Because players like Wembanyama are ready - not to replace LeBron, but to carry the torch in their own way.
So no, Wemby won’t cry when LeBron retires. But he’ll be ready. Ready to honor the past, embrace the future, and maybe - just maybe - become the kind of player who inspires the same kind of questions 20 years from now.