The Golden State Warriors have the fourth-best odds (+1,500) to be LeBron James’ next NBA team, per Points Bet USA.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the best odds since James is still under contract with them. However, some people around the NBA believe LeBron could request a trade from Los Angeles if the front office doesn’t improve the roster around him.
After the Lakers lost Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets, James told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report he might retire from the NBA this summer. The King is 38 and has a torn tendon in his right foot.
“I’m simply not sure if I’ll be back in the fall when the season begins,” James told Haynes. “I have a lot to think about.”
The Lakers beat the Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. James has a very close relationship with Draymond Green, as they share the same agent. LeBron isn’t that close to Stephen Curry, but the two superstars have a lot of respect for each other.
“Like, he’s an amazing basketball player,” Curry said about James after the Lakers eliminated the Warriors. “And he brings the best out of you and you know you have to be your best if you’re gonna try and beat him. And I think he feels vice versa. And so you love those experiences. Somebody’s gotta win and it’s part of the nature of what we’re dealing with.
“But there’s so much respect. And again, appreciation for the battles and experiences and the back and forths cuz it’s basketball at the highest level and that’s all you can ask for.”
James, who turns 39 next season, signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers last summer. The 19-time All-Star and NBA’s all-time leading scorer has a player option for the 2024-25 season. LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top-10 all-time in both points and assists.
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