Is LeBron James retiring?

LeBron has nearly lost a step at age 36. Even at the age of 36, LeBron continues to play as well as ever, leading the Lakers to a championship last season and establishing himself as a leading MVP candidate this season with 25.6 points, 8.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game.

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At 36, LeBron James is still dominating the league. The four time NBA Champion is known to have a high basketball IQ, adapting his game accordingly over the past few years. Now in the final half of his NBA career, there are already talks about King James’ retirement which many think can happen after his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers ends.

LeBron James Statement about his retirement

I truly hope that I can finish my career with the Lakers. However many years that is, if it’s four, five, six, whatever, seven, I hope I can continue to play the game. I love being in L.A., my family loves being in L.A. Being with a historical franchise like the Lakers is something. It’s like me being in “Space Jam” I never thought it would be possible. You think about Kareem and Magic and Wilt and Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, Kobe, Shaq and all of them, the whole list goes on.

None of this is a surprise, it is LeBron confirming what everyone around the league expects. Of course, in theory, something could come up that would push LeBron to change teams, but it is questionable.

LeBron James at the present

For now, James seems to be as physically fit as anyone in the NBA regardless of age, which is a big reason why he is able to handle the rigors of the NBA season without much of an issue.

James is a free agent after the 2023 season, so any hope that he will finish his career in Los Angeles will need to be attached to a contract extension that will keep him tied there for the imaginable future.

James wanting to play for another four, five, six or seven years will have to resist Father Time, He will turn 37 in December, putting him in his early 40s when he hangs up the kicks for good.

LeBron has also said he would like to play with his son, Bronny James, who is still a few years away from making it to the NBA. Some reports suggested that Bronny plans to play for Duke come 2023, but no official commitment has been made.

Whenever Bronny’s name is called in the NBA Draft, though, his dad will probably be waiting for him in the Association.