LeBron James is facing one of the biggest decisions of his legendary career—and his longtime friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade has some insight into the timeline. After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, speculation has run wild: Will the four-time MVP retire, test free agency, or remain in purple and gold?

Wade, who won two championships alongside James with the Miami Heat, knows the 23-year veteran better than most. According to the Hall of Famer, don't expect an answer anytime soon. Speaking to Devon Henderson of The Athletic, Wade outlined what's likely next for the Lakers superstar.

"That's the question. I think, if we all know LeBron James, 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.

The Lakers, who finished as the fourth seed in a deep Western Conference, have plenty of work to do to convince James to stay. Meanwhile, rival teams are already lining up their pitches for the free agent-to-be. Retirement chatter has also grown louder after James wrapped up his 23rd NBA season—an incredible milestone for any player.

But if anyone can predict what's coming, it's Wade. The two have been close since entering the league together in the legendary 2003 draft class. They won Olympic gold with Team USA, then teamed up in Miami to capture back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, before reuniting briefly in Cleveland. Their bond runs deeper than basketball, which is why Wade's timeline carries real weight.

For now, Lakers fans—and the entire NBA—will have to wait. As Wade suggests, the King is going to take his time, enjoy some wine, and weigh what's best for his family before making a move that could reshape the league.