“LeBron James Retirement Rumors Debunked: The King Expected to Return to Lakers for 21st NBA Season”

2023-05-27 09:00:00

After the Lakers’ elimination in the Western Conference Finals once morest the Nuggets, LeBron James hinted that he was thinking of an imminent retirement, which surprised many. But rest assured, we should see the King once more on the NBA courts next season.

LeBron James retiring this summer, like that without warning, following being swept away in the Playoffs? Clearly, it was hard to believe.

Admittedly, the King is now 38 years old and has 20 NBA seasons behind him, and left the Playoffs with a serious foot injury. But LeBron remained mostly on a game with 40 points – 10 rebounds – 9 assists, proof that he still has gas in the tank. So when he said he had to “think regarding his future in basketball,” it was mostly taken as a way to put pressure on Lakers manager Rob Pelinka, or even a way to redirect the conversation back to himself. right following the nasty sweep inflicted by the Nuggets. Obviously we had seen right in view of the latest news from Los Angeles.

A source close to LeBron told @mcten that LBJ is expected back on the Lakers next season pic.twitter.com/VmXr7rU2gg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 26, 2023

According to Dave McMenamin, who covers the Lakers for ESPN and quoting a source close to LeBron, the King should return for a 21st NBA season next year and “honor his contract”. As a reminder, James still has a year left on his current deal with Los Angeles, and has a player option worth more than $50 million for the 2024-25 season.

LeBron’s contract situation was one of the reasons it was hard to believe in a potential retirement. Even for a billionaire like James, to sit on 97 million dollars (over the next two seasons, 47 + 50) represents a huge shortfall. Moreover, it would have ended both his big dream of playing with his son Bronny, who can arrive in the NBA in 2024 at the earliest, as well as his dreams of a fifth title when he is still “better than 90% of the players” of the League. And then hey, LeBron leaving the NBA without a farewell tour, we agree that it can’t end like that.

LeBron James’ former teammate: ‘There’s no way in hell that LeBron’s leaving without a farewell tour’

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 27, 2023

LeBron James will therefore be on the NBA courts next year. The real question concerning him is rather to know if he will pass on the billiards this summer for his foot injury, which might require two months of stoppage for the King.

__________

Source texte : ESPN

1685178357
#LeBron #James #expected #return #21st #NBA #season #year