One of the main storylines in an otherwise lackluster NBA offseason is the fate of LeBron James’ Lakers tenure and career after the 2025-26 season. He will turn 41 in December as he embarks upon his 23rd year in the league, and is somehow still playing at an All-NBA level, making the decision to walk away from the game much harder.
There are too many factors at play to determine whether James will retire soon: his family, his wish to live in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ situation as they transition towards Luka Doncic, his plans to contend for championships, and his overall performance. It’s impossible to know what his plans are before this season plays out.
However, there’s at least one person who feels certain about what LeBron should do.
Carmelo Anthony Calls for LeBron’s Retirement
Over this past weekend, the NBA held their Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The biggest name invited into the legendary class of basketball Hall of Famers was the iconic Carmelo Anthony. Anthony, or “Melo”, as he was affectionately known, is one of the greatest scorers to ever play, ranking 12th on the all-time points list.
Melo was a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA member, the 2013 scoring champion, and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. He averaged 22.5 points for his 19-year career, spanning the same time period as LeBron James, who was also drafted in 2003.
During his retirement tour, Anthony appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and was asked about his best friend, LeBron James. Melo lamented James’ ridiculous longevity and the fact that he’s somehow still performing at a high level into his 40s. Carmelo himself played for 19 years, but declined from superstar status in his early 30s, about a decade ago now.
“He’s still going, it’s unbelievable, man. That’s my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully, to get his ass up out of there and come on over this side (smiles). Enough is enough. Give it a break.” -Carmelo Anthony on LeBron James
Melo called for his “brother” to finally call it quits soon, noting the absurdity of James still competing with much younger NBA players in his 23rd season. For a guy who was drafted in the same year, had a long career of his own, and began dropping off in his play around 2016-17, it must be very odd to see James continue to defy Father Time.
All NBA fans are wondering when the Akron product will finally hang them up. He’s given two generations of basketball enthusiasts endless entertainment and joy, and seems committed to continuing to do so into his 40s. At this point, he’s overcome age and athletic decline so effectively that it seems worthless to predict when LeBron will actually be forced to retire.
For Anthony’s part, at least, he urges James to come join the retirement party, and the two of them can celebrate with Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul (after CP3 retires when 2025-26 ends). We all have a feeling that James won’t heed Melo’s joking call to action, and Anthony himself certainly knows it.
“Melo” Was One of LeBron’s Greatest Foes
Carmelo was simply a bucket-getter: he could score in a phone booth no matter how heavy the defensive pressure was because of his six-eight frame, and he had one of the purest jump shots in league history. Any young basketball player who wants to improve as a scorer should watch tape of Melo, as his scoring game was the epitome of mastering basketball fundamentals.
Although Melo was never quite on LeBron’s level as an all-around player, never willing to sacrifice his own numbers for the good of his teammates, he certainly matched James at his peak many times. We were robbed of a playoff matchup between these two legends in 2013, when an injured Melo fell short of the Conference Finals on his only good Knicks team.
Still, the friends were two of the three best small-forwards in basketball for much of the 2000s and 2010s, alongside Kevin Durant.