LeBron James turned the clock back in Sunday’s Lakers’ victory over the Brooklyn Nets, but he’s admitted that he does not have much time left in the NBA as he’s heading to his 21st season of his career. James has been very poignant about the fact that his NBA career is at its late stages.
After dropping 40 on a career-best 9 threes against the Nets, the future Hall of Famer came away with an honest statement about him retiring at some point without giving any hint of when it will happen.
“I’m on the other side, obviously, of the hill. I’m not gonna play another 21 years, that’s for damn sure. But not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I’ll retire. But I don’t have much time left,” LeBron James said after the Lakers win.
In an interview on ESPN, James revealed that he would love to play alongside his son, Bronny. Bronny James is still on college, and LeBron James reiterated many times before that he wants to play with him in the NBA prior to retiring from the game.
This season, James is averaging 25.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game in 66 appearances for the Lakers. This is his 20th straight season during a campaign averaging more than 25 as he has already become the first NBA player to push past the 40,000 points mark in his career.
As of now, the Lakers are sitting at 42-33, 1.5 game behind the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. They have won six of their last seven and they are 3.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Pelicans with 7 contests remaining for the end of the regular season.
LeBron James wants to retire in Lakers’ uniform
For now, LeBron James is trying to put the Lakers back in the postseason in a very competitive Western Conference shooting a career-high 41.6 percent on 3s. However, Jovan Buha of The Athletic has already reported that the veteran superstar wants to retire as a Lakers’ player.
James has a player option for the summer worth $54.1 million and there is indication that he will pick that option and remain with the Lakers for at least one more season. The option decision deadline is June 29, according to Spotrac.
According to Buha, LeBron James can opt to his option and become a free agent next offseason. Moreover, he can pick up his option and sign an 3-year extension with the Lakers worth more than $162M, or he can become a free agent and sign with any NBA team for around $157M.
