One of the biggest questions this offseason, not only for the Los Angeles Lakers, but around the entire NBA, is the future of LeBron James. The superstar clearly has plenty left in the tank and can contribute at a high level, but after 23 years in the NBA, he could choose to call it a career.
James is also an unrestricted free agent this summer and will be free to sign with any team he chooses. He is sure to have plenty of suitors this offseason and, according to reports, that includes basically every top team in the league.
“Honestly, I think LeBron, more than past years, probably needs even more time with his family, with his inner circle,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “I do know a lot of teams are calling him and his camp. I spoke to Rich Paul the other day at the Chicago Draft Combine last week, and he told me every contender in the NBA, essentially, since the season ended has placed a call.”
It makes sense that any team with championship aspirations is gauging where James stands and whether he would be interested in joining them next season. But first and foremost, James has to want to play another season and that is no guarantee as he has put more miles on his body than any player in NBA history. And that decision may not come for a while as, like Charania noted, James will be taking some time away to be with his family.
Should he choose to play a 24th NBA season, then it will be about what he is looking for and his priorities when choosing a team. The Lakers have been open about their desire to want him back, and considering his family is based in Southern California, and his son Bronny James still is under contract with the Lakers, a return is an obvious possibility.
But there will certainly be plenty of other teams looking to bring him in with the likes of the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers being mentioned as possibilities. Regardless this will be one of the most watched stories of the offseason and rumors are already beginning to swirl before the offseason officially begins.
Bronny James has ‘no clue’ about LeBron James’ future
No one is sure what James will do next season be it return to the Lakers, sign elsewhere or retire. And that includes his own son as Bronny made it clear that he has no clue what his father has planned.
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