Imitating Kobe? Reports say LeBron James wants a retirement tour and doesn't want to end his career like Jordan did with the Wizards.

On September 26 Beijing time, NBA reporter Yaron Weitzman reported that an NBA executive said: "LeBron James wants to do a farewell tour similar to Kobe's and avoid ending his career the way Michael Jordan did with the Wizards."

This is not the first time insiders have talked about James wanting a retirement tour. Earlier, Cavaliers veteran reporter Fedor reported that James plans to notify the NBA in advance before retiring, as the Los Angeles Lakers star wishes to conclude his career with a "farewell tour."

“Based on what I know about LeBron and conversations with those close to him, I believe he will publicly announce his retirement plans before retiring, rather than quietly stepping away after his final season during the offseason,” Fedor said previously on a podcast.

“My sense is that LeBron wants it all: he wants a farewell tour, hopes teams relive the great moments of playing against him, and to enjoy all the honor and spotlight of retiring as one of the greatest players ever. If the 2025-26 season is his farewell season, I think he'll let everyone know this year, saying, 'By the way, this will be my last year in the NBA.'”

“I have no doubt this announcement is most likely to come on his podcast, rather than anywhere else.”

Fedor revealed that he once spoke with LeBron during a Lakers away game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. When asked if that game would be his last road game against the Cavaliers, LeBron “just smiled it off.”

Subsequently, LeBron exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, worth $52.6 million.

LeBron’s agent Rich Paul made a statement to ESPN’s Shams in June, hinting that this season might be LeBron’s last with the Lakers: “He knows the Lakers are building for the future but also values the realistic chance of winning a championship.” Reports later said that before LeBron exercised his player option, the Lakers had not engaged in substantial contract extension talks with him.

LeBron’s youngest son Bryce will be a freshman at the University of Arizona and is expected to enter the 2026 NBA draft. Bryce’s potential entry might be one factor LeBron, who will turn 41 in December, considers when deciding whether to return for the 2026-27 season.