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LeBron James is on the last leg of his NBA career. A career that has established himself as one of the greatest of all time. However, even though he possesses elite athleticism and fitness at this age, how long will he be able to play is a question every basketball fan has in their minds. Now an insider reveals a possible retirement date for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
Shams Charania of The Athletic was a guest on The Pat McAfee Show. While speaking about LeBron James and his future with the Lakers, Charania touched upon the same.
I think the expectation around the league is up to about 2 years. It's up to LeBron James. From a perspective like how long his body can physically hold up. It might reach 4 or 5 years. He knows how much people around him have sacrificed over these 21 years. Could end up being 23 years. The All-Star weekend is also in LA in 2026. Shams Charania said
Charania alluded that even though James could go on for a few more years, the mental and emotional drain might make him choose retirement. One more logic is that by then he will have played with his son Bronny James.
LeBron James will reach year no. 23 in 2025-26. If the Los Angeles Lakers drafted James Jr., father and son would have played 2 seasons. It would fulfill a dream which the all-time leading scorer has been keen on fulfilling for a long time.
"The Lakers have made it clear that they want to bring back LeBron James..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 13, 2024
In a perfect world the Lakers draft Bronny but there could be another team that emerges as well" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/FpAA5vHYq6 pic.twitter.com/u7L3IP1SvL
23 seasons will also match his jersey number. It will also work in creating the farewell tour as the All-Star Weekend will be held in Los Angeles in that season. Essentially creating a LeBron James retirement party from the league.
LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers future hinges on Bronny James’s draft
LeBron James has a host of issues he wants fixed by the Los Angeles Lakers. The next head coach as well as the front office assembling a team worthy of a championship fight in the coming season are two important issues. However, the Lakers can get their leading superstar to either exercise his player option or sign on a new contract if they draft Bronny James.
Rumors and insider news all suggest that the Lakers want to draft James Jr. in the 2nd round. With the way his draft combine is working out, everything is pointing in that direction. Once they draft the former USC guard, his father will most likely stay put. Playing for the most storied franchise in NBA history alongside his son will be a basketball story for the ages.
James has indicated that once he can play alongside his older son, he will have achieved everything in his basketball career. Therefore, Charania’s assumption that the 39-year-old will play a maximum of 2 seasons and make the 2025-26 season his swansong might work out perfectly.
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