For Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, 41, the end is nigh. It will come soon, whether with the Lakers or another team, and it likely will come with all the adulation one of North American sports' all-time greats deserves.

The second-year guard says he doesn't pay attention to the rumors about his superstar father possibly seeking a trade. "He just tell me not to worry about it."

LeBron opted into his existing contract by exercising a player option worth about $52.6 million for the 2025–26 season, keeping him tied to the Lakers for his 23rd NBA season. However, he also put out some interesting quotes online, saying through his agent, Rich Paul, that he "values a realistic chance of winning it all" next year.