LeBron James refuses to play pointless basketball. Following a discouraging loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, a few days before his 38th birthday, the Lakers great thought back on his career.
Despite Anthony Davis’ absence, the Los Angeles Lakers have already dropped five of their previous six games and are just 14-21 overall. If things continue the way they are, it will be difficult to even qualify for the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has no idea how long he will continue to play. But he can already make out the finish line. And he doesn’t want to keep losing as it gets closer.
Even though LeBron James is currently contemplating the end of his career. It’s quite unlikely that he will quit his job and retire right soon. LeBron James has often stated that he would do whatever it took to play a season with his oldest kid Bronny. And that he wants to continue playing till he makes it to the league. According to the present regulations, Bronny cannot join the NBA until the 2024 draught, thus LeBron James still has a few seasons to play.
His remarks, however, most likely indicate that he is tired of losing.
LeBron James’ time in Los Angeles hasn’t been nice. Save from their championship run in 2020. Which was completed inside the NBA’s COVID-19 bubble at Walt Disney World. After winning the Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs the following year. And then didn’t make the playoffs at all the following year. In five seasons with the Lakers, LeBron James is already on his third coaching staff. And they continue to either struggle with player chemistry or with staying healthy.
It is obvious that the Lakers must start winning.LeBron James seems to be feeling the strain. And Wednesday was a prime illustration of this. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Heat. They have had many of their own problems this season. 112-98 despite trailing by just a few points at the half at FTX Arena. The Lakers failed to score in the game’s last four minutes. LeBron James finished the game with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. But the Los Angeles Lakers only managed 17 points in the fourth quarter due to 24 turnovers.
Although he has an out after this season, LeBron James’ two-year $97 million agreement with the Lakers will keep him with the team through the 2024–25 campaign.
LeBron James is beginning to consider his NBA retirement. And LeBron is aware that he doesn’t want to play for a club that is constantly having trouble.
LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Los Angles Lakers in the offseason that includes a player option for the 2024-25 season. That extension put him on the same timeline as Davis, who also has the ability to opt-out in the summer of 2024. The assumption was that the Lakers had a two-year window to build around those two superstars, but given Davis’ continued injury problems, the team’s disappointing performances, and LeBron James’ newest comments, it’s fair to wonder if they’ll even get that long.