NBA
LeBron James future: will he retire? Will he stay at the Lakers? Will he play with Bronny?
Los Angeles were beaten in the 2024 NBA Playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, leading to conversations about LeBron’s next moves.
The Lakers are on vacation. LeBron James and Co battled hard against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs but were ultimately defeated 4-1, a score which perhaps doesn’t tell the full story of the series.
What has LeBron James said about his possible retirement?
A summer of reflection will now follow in Los Angeles, where many decisions will have to be made: should Darvin Ham continue as coach? Will D’Angelo Russell stay? What players will they bring in for the future? And, of course, what will happen with NBA icon LeBron James?
The last of those questions is the one on most people’s lips. After 21 seasons in the league, the 39-year-old has never set a date for his retirement, despite hinting at it after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in 2023.
However, more recently, Rich Paul, his agent, aired his view that “King James” would carry on playing in the NBA for another two or three seasons, which would make him one of the athletes with the greatest longevity in sporting history.
In his post-match press conference after Los Angeles were eliminated by the Nuggets, LeBron stated he wouldn’t answer any questions on when he was likely to finish up.
Will the Lakers draft Bronny James?
However, his immediate future could well depend on that of his son, Bronny, who looks set to enter the 2024 NBA Draft. James has said on several occasions that he would like to play with his son before the end of his career, which would he a historic first in the NBA.
And the Lakers are said to be willing to draft 19-year-old Bronny if that will ensure LeBron stays on. Despite his advancing years, James Sr averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game in the regular season, and was their standout player in their playoff defeat the Nuggets.
Lakers to offer James contract extension? How much would he earn?
In addition to snapping up Bronny, Los Angeles are also rumoured to be preparing the offer of a contract extension, or even a new deal altogether if LeBron chooses to turn down the optional final year of his current agreement, which is worth $51.4 million.
As reported by The Athletic, the Lakers are mulling over a three-season extension worth $164 million, a bumper figure made all the more incredible by James’ age. The all-time leading scorer in NBA history has already earned almost $500 million from playing contracts and could be set for another huge pay day, with Los Angeles keen to keep him on their roster for as long as possible.
LeBron’s excellent relationship with franchise owner Jeannie Buss means him staying put is likely. They may have had their ups and downs over the years, but they are now closer than ever. Lakers bosses are well aware of how important it is for them to have big-named players on their books and there’s no bigger name in basketball than LeBron James.
Previous superstars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant finished their careers with the (joint) most successful team in the NBA and Buss wants James to follow suit. There is no doubting the Lakers want the veteran small forward to stay, but the ball is now in his court.
What did LeBron say after the Lakers’ 2024 NBA Playoffs elimination?
Following the Game 5 loss to Denver, LeBron revealed his thoughts had immediately turned away from basketball:
“I just want to go home to my family. Honestly, one of my kids is trying to decide whether to enter the draft or return to school. Another one is playing ball right now. My daughter is playing volleyball. My wife is doing so many wonderful things. So, it’s all about family now. Then, in a couple of months, I have to go to Las Vegas for the Olympic Games training camp. So, I need to rest my body for that”.
James can win his third Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer, the next chapter in an incredible career, which doesn’t appear to be coming to an end any time soon. But once the summer action in France is over, will we see him back in a Lakers jersey? And will he be lining up alongside Bronny?