The upcoming offseason is one that is set to shape the future of the Los Angeles Lakers for many years to come. One of the biggest questions surrounding the team is the future of superstar LeBron James, whose contract expires after this season, his eighth with the franchise.
For years now, many have wondered when James will officially retire from the game of basketball, but he has continued to defy the odds by playing at such a high level in his 23rd season. While some may feel that LeBron knows what he plans to do this summer, that may not be the case.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, all of LeBron’s big decisions in his career weren’t made until well into the offseason and the Lakers superstar won’t be making anything permanent during the season:
And if James doesn’t want to play anymore, league sources remind The Athletic that those career-defining decisions — leaving Cleveland for Miami, returning home, joining the Lakers — weren’t made until well after seasons ended. While there’s a chance that James knows which way he’s leaning, one league source said James is also smart enough to know it would be foolish to make any permanent decisions in the emotional fog of an 82-game season.
Whether he wants to retire, return to the Lakers for another year, or head elsewhere to finish out his career, that decision is a massive one for James and he will not rush it. Rather, he will see how the rest of this season plays out before looking at the landscape of the league in the offseason and making his decision then.
Some believe he will return home one more time to finish his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but nothing is for certain at this time. Everyone could be witnessing the final games of James’ career and even he isn’t sure if that’s the case. But regardless of what he wants to do in the summer, everyone should be appreciating what LeBron continues to do as it will likely never be seen again.
LeBron James addressed future during All-Star Weekend
LeBron James spoke about his future during NBA All-Star Weekend and made it clear that he has not yet made any decisions. Considering he has been asked about it a number of times, James wanted it to be known that he is not sure if he will retire or play elsewhere next season.
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