If what's been keeping you from spiraling about this possibly being LeBron James' last season in the NBA is that he wouldn't go out with a farewell tour, there is no easy way to say this. Apparently, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar doesn't care all that much if he gets one (subscription required), as Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote:
"The notion that James would want a farewell tour — long cited as evidence that this season was not his last — is false, those sources said, with several sources even hearing that directly from James himself."
I promise that this is coming from a place of love, not hate, but it's really hard to comprehend LeBron James retiring without receiving a farewell tour. If there is anyone who deserves one, it's certainly him.
You'd think that he would want to bask in the spotlight as he says goodbye to every opposing arena (except Memphis). If you believe what LeBron says (and that's a longstanding joke we won't get into), then that's not as important to him as everyone else thought it would be.
LeBron reportedly doesn't care about receiving a farewell tour
The Athletic reported that James hasn't decided whether to retire, so that's still in play. It wouldn't feel right for there to be such an abrupt end to his storybook career, but no one can rule that out until he announces he's returning for a 24th season.
Maybe he will announce his return and retirement simultaneously, but not just to go on a mega farewell tour. LeBron is used to being the center of attention, no matter where he goes. He could play for Utah, and tickets would skyrocket when the Jazz were in town. That comes with the territory of being who he is.
It would be a completely different environment, though, if it were a farewell tour. There would be video tributes, standing ovations, and chants. Lakers games would be even more of a media frenzy than they are now.
Could this really be LeBron's final season?
Fans don't want this to be it. The Athletic added that Los Angeles is still open to re-signing LeBron this offseason, and after the streak they went on in March, their chances of "extending their partnership" increased. He liked what he saw, as did everyone else.
Maybe pushing for another title could be enough to sway him to play another season, if he is seriously considering retirement. Surely, he's not really thinking about hanging it up, is he? It is LeBron James we're talking about.
We won't know officially until the offseason. Even though it still feels like this isn't the end, take it as another reminder not to take what LeBron is doing at 41 years old for granted.
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