NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Playoff - Pregame: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: LeBron James of Lakers warms up before the NBA playoffs game 5 between Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu California United States. Editorial use only. Please get in touch for any other usage. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2026xAnadoluxTayfunxCoskunx
NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Playoff - Pregame: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: LeBron James of Lakers warms up before the NBA playoffs game 5 between Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu California United States. Editorial use only. Please get in touch for any other usage. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2026xAnadoluxTayfunxCoskunx
As NBA star LeBron James has already signed up for his 24th and 25th NBA seasons, what are the odds of him making a 5th Olympic appearance? Well, ESPN personnel Brian Windhorst had an answer.
“Obviously, there’s some legacy. If LeBron wants to play, he’ll get a roster spot,” the veteran sportswriter claimed on the recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast on August 4, 2026.
The 2028 LA Olympics roster talks have yet to reach their climax, but it’s never too early to discuss a roster. Among NBA stars like Scottie Barnes, Jaden McDaniels, Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, Jalen Brunson, etc, Windhorst believed that Bron can easily earn a spot only if he’s willing to play.
Thunder VS Los Angeles Lakers - Game 4 of a second-round NBA, Basketball Herren, USA playoff series Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James 23 dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles United States Copyright: xRingoxChiux/xSOPAxImagesx 20260511RC.Lakers090
Thunder VS Los Angeles Lakers - Game 4 of a second-round NBA, Basketball Herren, USA playoff series Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James 23 dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles United States Copyright: xRingoxChiux/xSOPAxImagesx 20260511RC.Lakers090
Moreover, as the host country, Team USA won’t have to bypass the qualifying rounds and can therefore offer a spot to Bron. The 2024 Paris Games’ captain has 4 Olympic medals under his belt, and since he’ll play through 2027-28 anyway, why not hop in for the LA Games too?
“He's gonna have his career end with the 2027-28 season; why not go out with the fifth Olympics?” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon had the same question during the podcast. “He's got a place in LA to stay, doesn't even have to stay in a hotel.”
But even if Windhorst had a positive verdict, LeBron ruled out the possibility long ago.
LeBron James Will Be “Watching” the LA Games
The odds at play are his age and declining on-court impact compared to the fresh legs. James would be 43 in 2028 and might very well fall behind Flagg, Barnes, etc. Moreover, he has different plans about the 2028 LA Games.
"You already know my answer," LeBron stated in a November 2025 episode of the Mind The Game podcast. "So don't even ask. I will be watching it from Cabo."
Even if some last-minute changes of mind may invoke his participation, King James will need some miraculous physicality to match his Paris Olympics gold-winning performance (14 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block).
But in sports, never say never.
Do you think he might make his 5th Olympic appearance? Let us know in the comments.
Follow Air Jordan Chronicles for more.
Written by
Deblina Roy