LeBron James reveals how he’ll know it’s time to retire

LeBron James may be 41 years old, but the Lakers star says he already knows exactly how he’ll determine when it’s time to walk away from basketball.

In an interview with Time magazine, James was asked how much longer he plans to continue playing.

His answer suggested retirement won’t be determined by age or statistics. Instead, it will come down to passion.

“It’s up to the mind,” James said. “Where the mind goes, the body will lay.”

James explained that the day he no longer enjoys the preparation required to compete at the highest level will be the day he knows his career is over.

“When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2½ hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done,” he said. “Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”

As an aside, there appears to be little indication that day is approaching.

James remains one of the NBA’s most productive players and continues to play a major role for the Lakers. He also showed during the 2025-26 season that he can still impact games at a high level despite being the league’s oldest active player.

Questions about James’ future have become an annual offseason storyline, particularly as he enters the final stages of a Hall of Fame career.

But based on his latest comments, retirement doesn’t appear to be on his immediate horizon.

As long as he remains committed to the preparation that has defined his career, James plans to keep going.