DHJ Quick Take
- Partnership Interest: LeBron James and the Lakers are both interested in continuing their relationship, though James is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018.
- Uncertain Future: At 41 years old, the future Hall of Famer has not yet decided whether he will return for another NBA season or retire from professional basketball.
- Potential Suitors: If he continues playing, James has been linked to several teams outside of Los Angeles, including the Knicks, Warriors and a potential third stint with the Cavaliers.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in continuing their partnership, according to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
James, 41, becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018. It’s unknown if the future Hall of Famer will continue playing or retire from the NBA.
Along with the Lakers, James has been linked to the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. James, of course, has played for his hometown Cavaliers twice.
A 22-time All-Star, James appeared in 60 games this regular season. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. The Lakers, who won 53 games in Year 2 of the JJ Redick era, had a record of 39-21 when James suited up.
Los Angeles beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of this year’s playoffs in six games but got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Austin Reaves missed Games 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Rockets series, while Luka Dončić missed the entire playoffs because of his hamstring injury.
Most people who cover the NBA believe that if James doesn’t retire this offseason, he will either re-sign with the Lakers or return to the Cavaliers for a third stint.
James is the oldest active player in the NBA and has been in the association since 2003. The Akron native is a four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP. He’s played for the Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers and is the all-time leader in points, field goals, games and minutes.
After the Thunder swept the Lakers, James was asked about his future.
“I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I’ve answered questions. I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming,'” James said. “With my future, I don’t know, honestly. It’s obviously it’s still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me.”
Argubaly the greatest player in NBA history, James has career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. It will be fascinating to see what the sports icon decides to do this summer.
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