Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James could retire from the NBA this summer, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
The Lakers, who started the season 2-10, lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals in four games.
James, who has a torn tendon in his right foot, is 38 and will turn 39 next season.
James spoke with Dave McMenamin of ESPN after the Lakers lost Game 4 to the Nuggets at home. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP said he has to “think about it” when he was asked about walking away from the NBA.
LeBron has been in the NBA since 2003.
LeBron James to ESPN on his thought process going into the offseason: Q: When you say you got to think about stuff, what thread should we be pulling on that? A: "If I want to continue to play." Q: As in next year? A: "Yeah." Q: You would walk away? A: "I got to think about it."
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 23, 2023
James signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers last summer. The 19-time All-Star has a player option for the 2024-25 season.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James suffered a torn tendon in his right foot in February against the Dallas Mavericks. Two doctors told The King to get season-ending surgery, but the future Hall of Famer opted not to.
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James hinted he might retire during his postgame press conference after Game 4 versus the Nuggets.
“We’ll see. We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
The entire sports world will be paying attention to see what James does this summer. If the Akron native retires, he will go down as arguably the greatest player in NBA history.
James is first all-time in points, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fourth in triple-doubles, third in player efficiency rating, sixth in points per game, and second in win shares.
Source: BREAKING: LeBron James Could Retire From NBA This Summer