LeBron James is a living fossil of the game who keeps getting better with age. But now at 39, it is high time for the King to consider how much more of his body can take. While the Lakers are in a hot pursuit of a post-season spot, the toil of the grueling season can leave even the fittest of players shattered.
Now that the whole franchise on his back, the time for LeBron to rest and restore is short as the post-season approaches. Thinking about what’s next once his legal binding with the gold and purple is over, LeBron has dropped a subtle hint on when he might want to stop.
LeBron James talks on NBA retirement
Not long ago, LeBron James had reportedly wished for a contract extension with the LA Lakers after being involved in trade rumors with the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers. However, following Sunday’s win against the Brooklyn Nets, the legend has revealed that he does not have much time left on the hardwood.
Talking about his future in the NBA, Bron said, “Not very long. … I’m not gonna play another 21 years, that’s for damn sure. But not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I’ll retire. But I don’t have much time left.”
LeBron disclosed that there is no certainty till when he will be able to enjoy the sport.
The Lakers’ star signed a two-year contract with the joint most championship title-winning team in August 2022 for $99 million. LeBron has a $54.1 million player opt-out option for the 2024-25 season, and after the season ends, he will become an unrestricted free agent if the franchise does not extend his contract.
The 39-year-old might have said that he does not have much time left but he showed another masterful performance against the Nets by smashing a career-high nine 3-pointers, tying the record he had set against the LA Clippers this year. The leading scorer of the league added a total of 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists to his name following Sunday’s game.
With his days numbered on the floor on which he has broken and created numerous records, the living legend of the game is surely hungrier than ever to record more feats of greatness, adding to his unparalleled resume.
Looking at LeBron James NBA achievements so far
Being considered the GOAT by many, LeBron James has inspired an entire generation with his superhuman activities on the floor over the 21 years of his NBA career. His resume is filled with accolades and records that he keeps making and breaking. To talk about his achievements, a whole book might not be enough, hence only a brief rundown is provided.
Bron walked into the NBA as the first overall pick holding the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 and was awarded the Rookie Of The Year for displaying his outstanding potential in the first season. He won a championship title with the franchise in 2016 in his second spell, along with two MVP titles for his performance in the regular season and another one for the championship Finals.
The forward spent four seasons with the Miami Heat in between and bagged two championship titles, two regular season MVPs as well as for the Finals. He got the fourth championship with the Lakers in 2020 and is striving for the next one.
After surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record last season, LeBron James established himself as the leading scorer of the league recording 39k in twenty seasons. Although it would have been easy to settle on that considering his age, the superhuman could not take a break from what he does best. LeBron now sits at the top of the NBA scoring table, crossing the 40k milestone (now 40,304 points) which he reached against the Nuggets this season on March 2.
He has set the All-Star record by appearing in 20 consecutive games, the highest by any NBA player and has been the most valuable player in the game thrice. Among his innumerable achievements in the NBA, his NBA assists leader title (2020), which now totals to 10,941 assists, stands out.
Even with his career in its final stretch, it is for sure that Lebron will add some more records to his name before he officially hangs his boots by marking the end of an era.
