Will you compete in the next season? James replied "Maybe", Meiji Analysis: Choose one in the future three

October 1: Whether Lakers star LeBron James will continue to play in the 2026-27 season is still a unsolved case, but the possibility of his retirement continues to increase. Chris McGee asked him a simple and almost joking question when James finished an interview with Spectrum SportsNet at the Lakers Media Day event.

"See you next media day?" McGee asked.

James replied with a smile: "Maybe."

These two short words set the tone for the atmosphere of the entire Lakers' new season. Because this may mean that this is a farewell tour, or it may mean that the Lakers and LeBron parted ways midway through the season, and the two sides will reach a breakup agreement. Or, this might just mean literally: LeBron himself doesn't know it yet.

And this uncertainty adds a different sense of tension to this season.

In addition, James made it clear that he was not waiting for his son Bryce James' timeline. Nor will he stay with the Lakers just to work with Doncic.

"No." When asked whether Doncic would affect his decision, LeBron responded directly, "Playing with him is of course very motivated, but it will not affect my career decision."

Interestingly, the well-known sports journalist Sam Amico also listed James' three trajectories and time nodes this season in his latest report:

One option is that LeBron spends another great season, then makes a decision at the end of the year, announces his retirement, and holds a warm and emotional farewell performance. Crypto.com Arena ushered in a moment similar to Kobe, and the Lakers team revolved around this farewell.

Another possibility is that he made a decision earlier — perhaps around the All-Star Game — and then turned the rest of the season into a farewell tour, harvesting the moments of standing ovation across the league.

Another possibility that the Lakers most reluctant to see but cannot rule out is: this "maybe" has been delayed longer, the situation has begun to tense, Luca Doncic has gradually taken over more on-field responsibilities, James put pressure on general manager Rob Pelinka to make a reinforcement before the trade deadline, and the team carefully waited for LeBron to make a decision in the last few months.