- Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James pulled a surprise card with his retirement thoughts
- Lakers just lost to Denver Nuggets at the Western Conference Finals
- The Lakers Star made a possible retirement suggestion in his postgame press conference
Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James pulled a surprise card with his retirement thoughts.
Lakers just lost to Denver Nuggets at the Western Conference Finals and his reaction was that he was taking time to decide his next move. The Lakers Star made a possible retirement suggestion in his postgame press conference after the defeat by Denver Nuggets.
James, 38, has completed his 20th NBA season as the all-time top scorer and is poised to make another run to the finals, but he is limited in what he can accomplish.
He said that though it wasn’t easy getting to the finals, he isn’t sure he wants to continue and he has to think about it.
“It’s not fun to not be able to get to the finals. We’ll see what happens down the road. I don’t know. I got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just with me, personally moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about,” Marca reported.
However, there are a few things standing on his bid to retire. They are:
Lebron James with Bronny James. Photo/Sports Illustrated
HIS SON BRONNY
His eldest son, Bronny James, recently graduated from high school and James’ biggest wish is to play alongside his son after an NBA draft. For this to happen, he needs to stick around for a few more years. Bronny is eligible for an NBA draft in 2024.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny. I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny. Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him… But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure,” he told ESPN in a past interview.
Bronny has his eyes trained on playing in the NBA and he is ready to put in the work and get there. James even agreed to an extension with the Lakers in 2022 that gives him the option to leave the team in 2024.
Yet, there is no assurance that Bronny will join the league in 2024 or later, but he seems to be headed in the right direction.
MONETARY REPERCUSSIONS
LeBron James’ monetary situation would be heavily penalised if he left the Lakers before 2024. James committed to a two-year, $97 million contract deal in August 2021. According to Sportrac, James will make close to $47 million next season. Should he stay, his contract will be worth close to $50 million in 2024–25.
Therefore, he would forfeit the entire amount from his contract extension should he retire now. He is looking at forfeiting close to $100 million which is a huge sum. Moreover, staying on means James could earn from future contracts.
NBA LEGACY
James has already achieved everything, therefore there isn’t really anything left to play for. He has won championships with several different teams, MVP Awards, and just about every major individual award given out.
Moreover, it is at the Lakers that he surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s record to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and it is a huge feat for him. His legacy endures forever. But as a player is acutely conscious of his legacy and his place among the greatest in the game, winning another championship with the Lakers adds to his legacy.
A fifth title puts him behind Michael Jordan and ties him with the late Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. These three NBA legends left amazing history on the court. James, too, has a chance to add to his cart. James appears to still have a lot to offer the game, too.
The player led a Lakers team formed in the midst of the season to the conference finals while averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game this year. He may not carry a team by himself like he once could, but he is still unquestionably one of the finest players in the NBA.
James, 38, is capable of making a significant contribution to a team that can win a title. It’s doubtful that he would leave the game with his tank as full as it appears to be.
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