LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were one of the most feared duos in NBA history. They were drafted together in 2003, won two championships side by side in Miami, and have remained each other’s most trusted voices throughout their careers.
Wade has been doing the media rounds this week, and the most compelling thing he said was not about where James is going. It was about why leaving is so hard.
Dwyane Wade Weighs In On LeBron James’ Current Situation
“I’m just here to appreciate what I’m witnessing, because we’ve never seen this before. It has to suck a little bit to get to this point in your career and still be really good. Like, I can still play,” Wade said.
“I can go play right now and still be able to play but I won’t be that good, so it’s easy for me to decide to walk away. It’s hard to make that decision when you’re still really f*cking good. How do you walk away from being a GOAT when you’re still a GOAT?” Wade added.
Dwyane Wade says it’s difficult for LeBron James to retire because he’s still playing at an elite level:
“I’m just here to appreciate what I’m witnessing…because we’ve never seen this before. It has to suck a little bit to get to this point in your career and still be really… pic.twitter.com/q8YfOLEkdX
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) May 17, 2026
The distinction Wade is drawing is an important one. He retired from the NBA in 2019 at 37, when his body had told him what his mind already knew. Wade was clear about where his game had gone.
James is in a completely different situation at 41. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists this regular season while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, and earned another All-Star selection.
And not only that, James carried a shorthanded Lakers team past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Wade told The Athletic separately this week that he will take some time before making any announcement.
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“He’s gonna take some time off and go drink some wine. He’ll go out a little bit around the world, but he’s gonna spend some time with his family. He’s gonna sit down and try to make the best decision for the James family at the end of the day,” Wade said.
Earlier this season, James mentioned that his family deserves all of his time and that he deserves time for himself, too, after dedicating so much to the sport. He also made clear he wants to own an NBA team eventually.
Only time will reveal what kind of decision James makes in his career at 41. But his former championship-winning mate says James may face a dilemma right now, given his wild stats this season.