Four-time NBA legend LeBron James is opening up about the emotional weight of eventually stepping away from the game that defined his life.

In a recent interview, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar compared retirement from the NBA to experiencing a significant personal loss.

“I kind of look at it like when you lose a loved one and you have a funeral,” James said while reflecting on what the end of his playing career might feel like.

LeBron James acknowledged that the idea of no longer playing basketball is difficult to process and that the sport has been central to his identity since childhood. Basketball has not only shaped his career but also his daily life for decades. While the thought of retirement brings mixed emotions, James says his focus afterward will shift toward the people closest to him.

“What I want to do at 45, 50, and 55 will be a lot of creating great vibes and fun with my family and my friends. Creating things we will never, ever forget.” he explained.

James added that building lasting memories with loved ones will ultimately matter most.

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For now, the future Hall of Famer is not rushing to make any final decisions. As speculation continues to swirl around the league about when the legendary forward might step away, James remains focused on enjoying the game and maximizing every moment left in his historic NBA career.