The intention to retire from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been expressed, and fans are quite reluctant to begin the countdown. Keeping it going for 23 years, how many more seasons can we expect from LeBron James? Mentioning his retirement in passing, fans are glued to their seats, as questions such as “When is he retiring?” and “Will he wait for his son Bryce?” arise. With high expectations from fans and the league, James faces the pressure as one of the league’s highest-yielding players.
LeBron James: the journey
Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1984, the seasoned NBA star recently turned 40 and is the oldest player on the 2024 NBA roster. With his career in basketball reaching great heights as he was selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, in 2024, James continues to stand on many accolades that include four-time MVP and NBA champion.
Prior to announcing the near end of this career, the Lakers’ court titan set the record for the oldest player to record three triple-doubles in a row, as the Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-123. As the oldest player on the 2024 NBA roster, James averages 23.5 points, nine assists and 7.9 rebounds per game in his 22nd NBA season.
Dropping 35 points against the Grizzlies on top of the triple-doubles against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors over the past two games, James has gathered 41,924 career points, now being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Multiple records were set this season, with Bronny James shooting hoops alongside his father.
The father-son legacy
Becoming the NBA’s first father-son duo to play in a game, on one team, LeBron James and Bronny James make history during the Los Angeles Lakers ‘season opener. 20-year-old 6 ft 3, Bronny James joined the Lakers in 2024 as a guard, playing both point guard and shooting guard. In contrast to his father, James Jr is the youngest player on the 2024 NBA roster and playing 22 games with 2.3 points per game.
Having witnessed Bronny James’ potential, head on, on the court, many are wondering if LeBron James will hold the fort and wait until Bryce James joins the father-son legacy. Still a junior in high school, Bryce James is a 6 ft 4 basketball player at Sierra Canyon School, primarily playing the shooting guard position like his brother.
In a recent Sierra Canyon game again Stockton Lincoln, Bryce James, averaged eight points and 4.2 rebounds a game, but finished, Bryce finished with 3 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. With the support of his family; father, LeBron James, Mother, Savannah James, and sister, Zhuri James, the dream is for the James brothers to play with their father.
“…not playing until the wheels fall off…”
Although the star can play well off into his 50s, he communicates that, that will not be the case. With the thought of the longevity of his body and the strength of his mind, LeBron James has expressed that he will not continue his career until he is down and out. To show respect to himself and the game, exiting the courts with us keeping a great memory of the star is important.
Whether it’s five years to seven years of playing (which James said he will not do), or one year to two years, James says that he will retire when his body is tired and most importantly when his mind is not fresh and motivated. Whether Bryce James will be drafted before the retirement is not made known, however hopes to create history twice are still held high.
With “ifs” and “maybes” in the conversation, confirmation of LeBron James’ retirement still lingers as we are not sure of the time and date. However, having signed a two-year, $104 million deal to stay with the Lakers, including a player option for the 2025-26 season, certainty is placed in whether James will retire with the Lakers Jersey on. With 7 years and counting in the team, LeBron James has created a strong bond with the Lakers that will most likely end as the career ends.
