Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James isn’t retiring anytime soon
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James plans on playing for a lot longer before considering life after basketball.
The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the most polarizing stars in the basketball world on their team in LeBron James. James brought his talents to Los Angeles in free agency last summer, committing to the team long-term.
James signed a four-year deal with the Lakers, with the fourth year being an option. It surprised some people, as James had been operating on one-year deals previously with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That is part of the reason Cleveland is in the position they currently are, as they could never commit to a rebuild. In addition, players wouldn’t commit to Cleveland without knowing if James would be there.
The Lakers are now in a similar conundrum. Prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, the Lakers did everything in their power to acquire Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. Their whole young core they have acquired in recent years, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac, were put on the table.
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In addition to all of that young talent, the Lakers were giving the Pelicans salary relief, agreeing to take back Solomon Hill and multiple future draft picks, as well.
The Pelicans did not accept the Lakers deal, which may be a blessing in disguise for the organization. However, they should also take solace in knowing that James will be here for the long haul.
During NBA All-Star Weekend, James was interviewed plenty of times. During one of those interviews, he was asked about potential plans following his career.
Potentially owning a franchise was discussed, but James let it be known that he isn’t concentrating on life after basketball yet, as he still has plenty to bring to the table on the court.
"“I got a lot more game to play. I got a lot. A ton more years to play this game and suit up and be in a Lakers uniform. Once we get to that point, we’ll cross that path. Hopefully I can sit up here and answer questions as a player for a long time.”"
This is wonderful news not only for Lakers fans but basketball fans in general. James is a generational talent and seeing him do his thing on the court for as long as possible is a gift for everyone.
While James says he has a ton of more years to play, we will have to wait and see if that truly occurs. James has seen Father Time catch up to him a little bit this season, as he missed 17 consecutive games with a groin injury. That is the longest consecutive missed games in his career, and the 18 total missed games is also the most he has ever missed in a single season.
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Hopefully, James doesn’t miss many more, if any, games the remainder of this season. The Lakers will need him healthy if they are going to make a playoff push and end the organization’s longest postseason drought of five years.