Despite hinting at the possibility of retirement in May after the Lakers were swept in the Western Conference Finals by Denver, LeBron James says his career isn’t finished.
“The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done …. But lucky for you guys, that day is not today,” James said, per Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
James’ comments came after winning the ESPY Award for best record-breaking performance (Twitter video link), having become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer this past season.
The news doesn’t come as a surprise at all. Several reports expressed skepticism that James would actually retire in the aftermath of his initial comments, with a more recent one indicating he was fully expected to suit up in 2023/24, which will be his 21st season.
A 19-time All-Star, James put up his usual huge numbers during the ’22/23 season, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in 55 appearances (35.5 MPG) while shooting 50.0% from the field.
He missed time and was affected in the second half by a torn tendon in his right foot, but still appeared in all 15 of the Lakers’ games in the postseason, averaging 23.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 6.3 APG.
The 38-year-old has at least one year and $46.7MM remaining on his contract with the Lakers, with a $50.4MM player option for the ’24/25 season. He has spoken in the past about wanting to remain in the NBA until at least ’24/25, when his son Bronny James will be eligible to enter the league. LeBron has repeatedly expressed a desire to play with Bronny.
The Lakers have had a busy offseason, drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis; re-signing D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura; and adding Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish in free agency. They still have two open roster spots, with a big man likely to fill one.
Worst thing to happen to the NBA
I’m of the “MJ is the goat but LBJ is real close” group. It AMAZES me tho that MJ was the biggest whiner when it came to complaining to the refs and single-handedly has hand checks band. He also made huge dramatic moments he walked away from basketball to play baseball, retired at a younger age that most and then retired and came back 3 years later yet LBJ is the diva????
Hand checks band?
Is that like a group that just makes music by clapping?
No way! I was so worried!
“Lebron James needs attention” should be the article name, dude talked about playing with his son and then had an awesome year, no one on earth thought he was retiring, what a teenager
Well, if so you’re giving it to him.
He might have to go to the G-league to play with his son once he is eligible for draft
In other news, water is wet!
Nice one bro, however do you come up with this stuff?
Before anyone says water is not wet, let’s just clear it up.
Anything with water on it is wet. Water has water on it, therefore water is wet.
Thank you for your time.
Ray Charles could see what lebish was trying to do. Imma start calling him Lebron kardashian the way he craves the spotlight.
Please keep us posted on any new nicknames you’re thinking about calling players and why. It’s riveting.
It’s literally his job to entertain millions of people in live audiences night after night. And then you whine when he “craves the spotlight?” Lmao dude you r lost!
The only contending team that has the assets to acquire both Bron and Bronny: the Warriors.
How many championships will it take to get 8 rings if his wife is smashing a waiter
How do you know she’s “smashing” a waiter?
Reeading too much TMZ nonsense I guess.
Has been. Dont think anyone really cares. He should be a shoe in on “The View” when he retires
Then he can tank it and they will cancel it
Lebron must be jealous of all the attention that the Dame saga is drawing right now and had to give the media an answer to a question that no one was asking.
Pretty sure you mean he was jealous of Bo Cruz’s brother landing that 3 year deal with Barcelona.
Next year: LBJ takes his talent to South Beach to join Dame and Jimmy.
When he retires does he lose all his China money?
kyrie just took a cut of that pie. gotta be the shoes.
In other news….
The NBA has announced action on a number of issues.
#1 Players 38 years old and up are allowed to use: Wheelchairs, crutches and canes on the court.
#2 No opposing player is permitted to get within 3 FEET of players who are 38 or more years old.
#3 To be referred to as the LeBron Exemption; the Team that LeBron plays for can pay him whatever the hell he wants and it WILL NOT count against that team’s salary cap.
#4 The rule against traveling has been eliminated. Every player does it and no referees ever call it.
You guys really save the good stuff for the offseason…woof!
Why does he gotta “confirm it”? Just play bro nobody thought you were done
“But lucky for you guys…”? Really? That dude’s ego just leaped forward another mile.
The Lakers have had a solid off season didn’t realize the Lakers had so much cap space with LBJ and AD on the team.
Old news. It became obvious when LeBaby applied for a new passport at the NBA front office a few weeks ago, so he could do some more traveling.
he has been in europe the last couple of weeks.
Guess ESPN will have to keep waiting before they can hire him as an analyst, for $63 mil/year..and immediately terminate his contract due to cost savings…yet still pay him the $63, plus a severance package.
Sick burn…?
“Lucky for you guys…”
Wow. Just when you thought the ultra-rich couldn’t get any more obnoxious…