Charles Barkley has urged LeBron James to retire from the NBA “sooner rather than later,” citing the unflattering late-career performances of Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.
In an interview with ESPN Cleveland, Barkley expressed his admiration for James’ impressive career but warned against prolonging his playing days. “I hope he retires while he can still play,” Barkley said. “I saw Michael Jordan with the Wizards, and it was not pretty. I saw Patrick Ewing with the Orlando Magic. I would love to see him retire sooner rather than later because it ends badly when you keep on playing.”
James, who turns 40 in December, is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons, according to The Athletic. He has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Despite his impressive performance this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, James’ future plans remain uncertain. He mentioned his desire to play with his son, Bronny, who is expected to enter the NBA in the near future.
Before the 2023-24 season began, James emphasized his continued desire to contend for a championship rather than continue playing just for the sake of doing so.
“I just think for one, it’s just my motivation to continue to be as great as I can be and solidify what I want to do in my career and still seeing that Larry O’Brien Trophy in my mind on a daily basis,” James said. “So, that’s one of the best four moments of my career, being able to hoist up that trophy. So, that’s motivation alone.”
Only time will tell if James will heed Barkley’s advice and retire sooner rather than later, but one thing is certain – his place in NBA history is already secure.
More must-reads: