LeBron James has disclosed that his most recent agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers could potentially be his final one. The four-time MVP hinted at the prospect of retiring, indicating that this new contract might signify the concluding phase of his distinguished career.
On July 3, James finalized a two-year deal with the Lakers valued at $101.4 million, including a player option for the second year. If he completes the duration of this contract, James will have played 23 seasons in the NBA — the most in league history.
With his immediate future set, James discussed various topics with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, including his remaining time in professional basketball.
James expressed uncertainty about whether his current contract with the Lakers might be his last, stating, “I mean, it could be [the last contract I will ever sign]. I’d never sit up here and say, ‘Oh, maybe not.’ Yeah, it could be. Easily. But we’ll see what happens.”
This statement reflects James’ non-committal stance, acknowledging that only he truly knows how much longer he intends to play at a high level. Despite being 39 years old, he has shown little indication of decline, adapting his playing style to suit his age and maintaining a significant impact on the court.
Last season, James played an average of 35.3 minutes per game and posted impressive statistics with averages of 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. He also achieved his 20th All-Star selection and was named to the Third Team All-NBA, demonstrating his enduring prowess and continued relevance in the league.
LeBron James has addressed the criticism aimed at his son, Bronny James, following their historic pairing as the first active father-son duo in NBA history. The Lakers drafted Bronny with the No. 55 overall pick in this year’s draft, fulfilling LeBron’s longstanding goal of playing alongside his son.
Despite some negative attention directed at Bronny since the draft, LeBron is confident in his son’s ability to stay focused amidst the noise.
“I don’t know if people really understand Bronny,” James remarked. “He doesn’t care. I actually care a little bit. When I came in [as a rookie], I wanted people to like me, and some of the things that people were saying about me kind of bothered me early on in my career. … He doesn’t give a f—.”
LeBron’s comments highlight Bronny’s resilient attitude and his own experiences dealing with criticism early in his career, contrasting it with his son’s more carefree approach to public opinion.
Bronny James made his Summer League debut on July 6, scoring 4 points in 22 minutes of play. He sat out the Lakers’ following game due to knee soreness.
Regarding the Lakers’ lack of significant moves in free agency, LeBron James expressed understanding and acceptance. Despite offering to take a pay cut to help attract impactful players like Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas, the team was unable to secure their targets.
“It takes two to tango,” James commented. “I think our front office, our coaching staff, they tried to do the job that they wanted to do or tried to get guys to come, and it didn’t happen. And that’s OK. That’s part of the business. I’ve been in this business long enough to know that sometimes it happens, sometimes it don’t.
“So, we don’t sit here and lie about or cry about it. We move on. And Klay’s a great player. Obviously, DeMar’s a great player. Valanciunas was one of those guys who ended up going to Washington, was someone that was in talks with us, but we move on to see how we continue to get better.”
Currently involved with Team USA training camp alongside Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, James remains focused on the upcoming season and improving as a team despite the offseason challenges.
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