LeBron James To Retire Soon? NBA Insider Drops Massive Hint

The Los Angeles Lakers are setting their sights on another NBA championship, with team owner Jeanie Buss hinting that their success will once again rely on LeBron James.

As the superstar approaches his 40th birthday in December and gears up for his 22nd season in the NBA, many have speculated whether the end of his career is near. Despite these discussions, ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin believes that LeBron isn’t retiring any time soon.

The notion of “Father Time” has claimed many athletes, but James has defied expectations, continuing to perform at an elite level well into a stage of his career when most players experience a decline.

In an interview with Malika Andrews, McMenamin discussed the potential fallout if the Lakers underperform this season but ruled out the idea of LeBron retiring without an official announcement.

“He signed an extension this summer with only one guaranteed year,” McMenamin explained. “But I don’t think this season’s performance will lead him to walk away. He’ll retire on his terms, and when it happens, we’ll all know. It’ll be a farewell tour that captures the attention of every NBA city, a must-see event for fans.”

Hints of Retirement During the Paris Olympics

Although James is still performing at a high level, the end of his career may be on the horizon. He hinted at the possibility of retirement during this past summer’s Paris Olympics after winning another gold medal with Team USA, acknowledging he’s uncertain how many more significant opportunities he’ll have.

“I’m 39, heading into my 22nd season. I don’t know how many more chances I’ll get to compete at this level,” LeBron shared, reflecting on the rarity of moments like these.

LeBron’s Commitment to the Lakers and His Future Timeline

James recently signed a two-year, $104 million contract, signaling his commitment to pursuing more success with the Lakers under their new head coach, JJ Redick.

While retirement remains a topic of speculation, LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, gave insight during an appearance on the “All The Smoke Podcast,” suggesting the legend could play for another five years.

“Physically, five years. Mentally, he understands the game so well that he could keep going forever,” Paul explained. “But at some point, it’s going to be about his family. From that perspective, maybe in 2-3 years, he’ll be ready to step away.”

For now, LeBron and the Lakers aim to bounce back after a 47-35 season that saw them eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Their journey begins on Oct. 22 with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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