LeBron James returned to Cleveland for what could potentially be the last time in his career as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. James struggled in the contest, knocking down just 3-of-10 shots to finish with 11 points and five assists with six turnovers in the blowout, but that wasn’t the conversation following the game.
With LeBron visibly emotional following a video tribute played by the Cavs during the game, many of course wondered whether this could be due to him realizing it could be his final game in Cleveland. There continues to be speculation about whether James’ 23rd NBA season could be his last.
And while that could be the case, LeBron himself hasn’t thought about that just yet. When asked about the possibility of retirement or a farewell tour, he said he hasn’t even thought about it because he has yet to have that conversation with his family and won’t come to that decision until that talk happens, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
“I have not even thought to the point of a farewell tour or whatever the case may be, because I haven’t had the conversation with myself and my family on, when is it over?” James said. “So … I think that will come after that.”
Family has always been the most important thing to LeBron, so him wanting to talk this over with his wife and kids makes sense. His decision not only affects him, but also the rest of the family, including his son Bronny who is also his Lakers teammate, and Bryce who could look to enter the NBA next season as well as he is currently a freshman at the University of Arizona.
Someone like James certainly would be deserving of a farewell tour like the ones received by Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But it isn’t a guarantee that he wants that, and could just announce his retirement in the offseason and walk off into the sunset.
Of course, LeBron has shown he can still play at a high level in the NBA and, as a free agent this summer, could continue his career elsewhere if he doesn’t want to return to the Lakers. So the superstar will have a lot of decisions to make in the coming months.
Cavaliers would welcome LeBron James return this summer?
If James does want to keep playing beyond this season, he will undoubtedly have plenty of options to choose from aside from a return to the Lakers in free agency. One option that some see as a possibility is a third stint with his hometown Cavaliers, who would reportedly welcome a return from the franchise’s all-time greatest player.
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