LeBron James may have played his final NBA game in 20 years and is considering retirement, according to a Bombshell report Tuesday morning.
The NBA superstar made headlines with his comments after the Lakers were defeated by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, with the legendary forward admitting that ‘I have a lot to think about’.
And now Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports that James is indeed considering calling it a day, and if he continues, he’s unsure if it will stay with the Lakers.
James still has two years and $97 million left on his current contract, but the final year is a player option and he could choose to forego the cash and call it a day.
Speaking after the loss to the Lakers, in which they shut out the Nuggets 4-0, James said: ‘I’ve got a lot to think about. Just personally, I have a lot to think about going forward with the game of basketball.’
LeBron James is reportedly considering retirement after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs
It was a great end to the 2022-23 season for James, who has now played 20 years in the league.
¿I’ve got a lot to think about ¿I’ve got a lot to think about just moving forward with the game of basketball with me personally.
LeBron thinking about retirement??? ¿?
pic.twitter.com/442H08PagG
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 23, 2023
If he lets it go, LeBron will leave the court with the all-time scoring record, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s earlier this season.
He would go on to lead the playoff scoring record, opening a 2,036-point gap between himself and nearest rival Michael Jordan.
James played 20 seasons in the NBA, starting with seven years in Cleveland after being drafted first overall by the Cavaliers in 2003.
He then moved to the Miami Heat, where he won his first two NBA titles, before returning to Cleveland to win his third.
In 2018, he moved to the Lakers and won his fourth ring in a Covid-affected 2020.
In addition to the title, he has four NBA Finals MVP awards and is a four-time NBA MVP.
At age 38, retirement is undoubtedly looming, but it would be a surprise for LeBron to call it a day now that his son Brony will soon be in the league.
LeBron has previously made it very clear that he wants to play with his oldest son, who recently committed to play college basketball for USC.
James and the Los Angeles Lakers were dumped by the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets on Monday night.
Earlier in 2023, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (pictured) for the all-time scoring record.
However, the superstar may have softened his stance a bit as he revealed that he will support Brony even though he doesn’t want them to play together in the NBA as a father-son duo.
“I did what I had to do in this league, and my son will start his journey,” he said after the Lakers’ Game 3 loss on Saturday.
‘And whatever his journey, whatever his journey, he’s going to do what’s best for him. And as her father, and her mother, Savannah, and her brothers and sisters, we’re going to support her in whatever she decides to do. So, just because it’s my aspiration or my goal, doesn’t mean it’s his. And I’m absolutely fine with that.’
LeBron hinted he was unsure about his NBA future Monday night as he offered a cryptic answer to questions about his life on the court following LA’s elimination at the hands of the Nuggets.
‘We will see what happens next. But I don’t know,’ said James. ‘I don’t know. I have a lot to think about, to be honest. I’ve got a lot to think about,’ James said after scoring 40 points as the Lakers dropped Game 4 to the Nuggets, officially ending their season with a sweep.
‘Just going forward with playing basketball with me personally… I have a lot to think about.’
LeBron has made it very clear before that he wants to play with his son Brony (R).
LeBron indicated he was unsure about his NBA future Monday night after LA’s elimination
The future Hall of Famer now enters the off-season with the Lakers considering his future and a possible 21st NBA season.
He said: ‘It’s been a very challenging season for me, for our ball club… It’s been a great ride, but I don’t know… I don’t get a kick out of being in a conference. I’ve done it a lot and it’s not fun for me not to be in the final.’
LeBron still had a strong season, his 20th in the league, earning a spot on the All-NBA third team.
He played in all 17 of the Lakers’ playoff games, including a playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite dealing with a right foot injury that kept him out a month late in the regular season.
He revealed that surgery could be an option this summer after being tested in the offseason.
LeBron still had a strong season, earning his 20th, a spot on the All-NBA third team
‘I’m going to do an MRI on it and see how the tendon heals or doesn’t heal and go from there,’ he told ESPN. ‘I’ll see what happens.’
The 19-time All-Star averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game in rallying the Lakers from a 2-10 start and landing them in the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, according to Spotrak, LA has $29.6 million in practical cap space, entering the 2023 season.
Only six players are currently officially signed to the Lakers through the 2023-24 season, including James, Anthony Davis, Jared Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba.
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