We’re not ready for LeBron James’ retirement

There’s one word that keeps circling around LeBron James, even as he does everything he can to keep it at arm’s length: retirement. And yet, every time the topic surfaces, all it takes is a single comment, an offhand reflection, to put everything back into question.

This time, it was Rich Paul, his longtime agent, who reopened the discussion while appearing on the Game Over podcast alongside Max Kellerman.

Paul was surprisingly candid.

I hope this isn’t his last season. I don’t talk to him about it.

Rich Paul

Those words carry weight, because they come from the person closest to LeBron off the court. And listening to Paul, the feeling is that time hasn’t quite run out yet.

The central point, however, is something else. Kellerman suggested that LeBron could extend his career even further by scaling back his game, much like Karl Malone did in the final years of his career.

And that’s where Paul dropped the line that resonated most:

His ceiling is what it’s always been. But his floor is Karl Malone.

Rich Paul

With that statement, Rich Paul perfectly encapsulates LeBron’s situation. The “ceiling” represents his maximum potential – still legendary despite his age – while the “floor” defines the minimum level he can provide.

And even in that reduced version, James remains an elite player, comparable to Karl Malone, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. In other words, even when he slows down or limits his game, his impact is still extraordinary.

At 41 years old, LeBron continues to be a technical, physical, and mental reference point for the Los Angeles Lakers. Sure, fans dream of a farewell tour, one final lap through every arena. But maybe LeBron isn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. And if the “floor” truly is Karl Malone, then the ending can wait a little longer.

In the NBA world, when it comes to LeBron, one thing is certain: as long as he’s still on the floor, the story hasn’t reached its final period yet.