A few hours before entering the 20th NBA All-Star game of his career, LeBron James confessed to reporters and the press that he “doesn’t have much time” in the NBA anymore.
“It’s not clear how many years I have left to play in the NBA, I just know that my time is running out,” said LeBron, 39 years old and in his 21st season.
The Los Angeles Lakers star once shared that he wanted to play on the same team as his son Bronny James, whose name is expected to appear in the 2024 NBA Draft taking place next June.
In addition to the fact that LeBron can become a free agent after this season ends, the possibility of “the king” changing his shirt color is even more likely to become a reality. Even so, the record holder for the total number of points scored in the NBA as well as the total number of All-Star appearances have erased all rumors about the future.
“ I’m a Lakers player and I’m very happy here. I have been happy for the past 6 years with this shirt and hope that nothing will change , ”said LeBron James.
Almost every year, LeBron James falls into this state in the middle of the season, showing some dissatisfaction with the team right before the NBA Trade Deadline. This year, LeBron used social networks to make the basketball community stir, posting exactly one hourglass symbol on platform X (formerly Twitter).
Even though James was asked a lot about this meaningful post, he always refused to answer and let fans freely speculate. It wasn’t until All-Star that the “king” spoke up to reassure the fans, especially those who love the yellow and purple team.
“ I don’t have an answer as to how much longer I can play. I also don’t know which team I will play for in the future, I hope it will be the Lakers, a great team with many great people ,” James said about his retirement story.
Through 49 matches since the beginning of the season, LeBron James is averaging 24.8 points with 7.8 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. LeBron’s points scored is at its lowest level since his rookie years two decades ago.
The “king’s” physical condition gradually could not resist age. He missed many games this season because of ankle pain, missed a game before All-Star and will likely sit out next Friday’s epic match with Stephen Curry for the same reason.
At the 2024 NBA All-Star match taking place in Indianapolis, LeBron James only played lightly in the first two rounds. He is one of three players with the fewest appearances (with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George).
According to Spotrac, LeBron James’ current contract will last until the end of next season (2024-25) but has a final year Player Option clause.
This means that LeBron can actively refuse to play for the Los Angeles Lakers in the final year of his contract, becoming a free agent in the summer of 2024.
Although James has shared his desire to retire wearing a yellow and purple shirt, this does not mean that LeBron will not “turn around” in the future.
