“I think he’s going to do one more year,” said Payton in a one-on-one interview with R.org. “I think LeBron — because I know about his ego — he has to really feel that he can’t play in this league anymore. I don’t think he feels that way. I think he feels he can still dominate. But what the things that he does with his body is a lot different because what he does with his body is he takes care of it. Once he starts feeling it, I don’t think he’s going to let himself go down. I don’t think he’ll let himself be looking like a fool or anything.”

“I think he’s going to do one more year,” said Payton in a one-on-one interview with R.org. “I think LeBron — because I know about his ego — he has to really feel that he can’t play in this league anymore. I don’t think he feels that way. I think he feels he can still dominate. But what the things that he does with his body is a lot different because what he does with his body is he takes care of it. Once he starts feeling it, I don’t think he’s going to let himself go down. I don’t think he’ll let himself be looking like a fool or anything.” — 4/22/2026 R.Org Sports

“I think he’s got about one or two more years left in his body,” said Payton of James. “I don’t think he wants to move anywhere. People talking about where he’s going to end up. That’s not what LeBron is about right now. I think it’s about comfortability, about how his daughter — which is the only one still left in the house — and how his wife wants to be. I don’t think they want to be in the cold. I think they think they’re very comfortable in Los Angeles and that’s where they’re going to be. I think he’s going to stay here and try to work something out with the Lakers.” — 4/22/2026 R.Org Sports

How do you explain LeBron’s finishing and dunking at this stage of his career? Marcus Smart: “Right now, he’s getting work. He’s staying here. He’s the last guy to leave the gym. We talk about his work ethic and how much he spends on his body. There’s a reason why he’s able to do this.” — 4/22/2026 Essentially Sports

The 2018 NBA Finals featured a loaded Golden State Warriors squad that swept James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, back when the idea of doubling Durant regularly was foolish because of all the firepower and facilitating that surrounded him. Times have changed for Durant, though, and not for the better. “No matter what play is called, no matter what action is called, or what side of the floor, they’re gonna double-team, you know what I’m saying?” Kevin Durant said. “No matter if I catch it at the elbow or the block. So if a team doesn’t mind double-teaming at half court, you don’t think they’re not gonna double-team everywhere else on the floor too? “So … when I see those doubles, because they’re gonna come and guard me, and be aggressive, go to try to shoot over some of them, make the correct pass. But, yeah, I’m not expecting them to not double me in certain areas of the floor. Regardless of where I get it at, I feel like it’s going to be two to three people on me. I’ve just got to be smarter and make the correct play. And then we got to make shots out of it.” — 4/22/2026 New York Times

NBA Base: Joe Budden predicts Drake will take shots at LeBron James on his upcoming ‘Iceman’ album. — 4/22/2026 Twitter

The NBA world is in the dark about LeBron James' future ... but if the King were to return to Cleveland for a final season, his old teammate tells TMZ Sports it would be "the coolest story." We caught up with Cavs champ Iman Shumpert at LAX this week ... and asked if he wants to see the kid from Akron go home (again) before retiring. — 4/22/2026 TMZ.com

Jorge Sierra: Jayson Tatum (age 28) has passed NBA legends Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler in playoff scoring. Jrue Holiday moved ahead of Anthony Davis. Also: Scottie Pippen is now closer to Michael Jordan in playoff scoring than MJ is to LeBron James. Pippen is No. 20 all-time. — 4/22/2026 Twitter @hoopshype

Basketball Forever: VINTAGE LeBron James with 28 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST as the Lakers get the 101-94 WIN over the Rockets & TAKE A 2-0 SERIES LEAD? ? Marcus Smart: 25 PTS, 7 AST, 5 STL — 4/22/2026 Twitter

Oh No He Didn't: Marcus Smart on what he saw from Lebron tonight: "Greatness man" — 4/22/2026 Twitter

Dave McMenamin: “You guys seen the meme after Game 1. I can look at him and he can know what the hell I’m talking about”- LeBron James reveals Marcus Smart was who he was making nonverbal communication with in the series opener ? — 4/22/2026 Twitter @mcten

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gary Payton on LeBron James: 'I think he's going to do one more year'