It is definitely expected that LeBron James will play for one or two more years, according to Pat [McAfee] and the majority of people Charania speaks with concerning the player. But it’s clear from his remarks that he’s reached the end of the road. Furthermore, it might be difficult for athletes of LeBron James’ calibre to accept retirement.
“And today, I had a conversation with Rich Paul regarding LeBron James’ future and his candour regarding retiring and reaching the end of his career. “It’s like landing a plane,” Rich Paul said to me. You don’t land instantly. There’s a warning when you’re going to descend after 45 minutes out. A brief announcement is made here. And I believe Rich Paul kind of hinted at that point.
James, who is 39 years old, is the oldest player in the NBA right now, but that hasn’t stopped him from being among the best players this season. He is shooting 53.3 percent from the field and a career-high 41.6 percent from three-point range, averaging 25.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game.
James was almost a lock from deep in the Lakers’ most recent game on March 31 against the Brooklyn Nets. In a game that Los Angeles won by a score of 12 points, he made all but one of his ten 3-pointers and concluded with 40 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. With the win, Los Angeles moved to 42-33 on the season.
Brooklyn’s three-game winning streak came to an end when Los Angeles defeated the Nets. The Lakers’ triumph was also their seventh in their previous ten games.
In his 21st NBA season, James has been the sparkplug for the Lakers’ offence despite being older — at least by NBA standards.
He leads the club in assists per game as well as points per game, with Anthony Davis trailing him by only 24.7 points per game. The only other Lakers player averaging more than six assists per game in the 2023–24 regular season is D’Angelo Russell.
James is averaging the sixth-highest assists per game and the 13th-most points per game among all players in the league.
When the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, James and the team will have a great chance to win their second straight game. The Raptors, who are 23-51 and have one of the poorest records in the Eastern Conference, are currently on a 13-game losing skid, which is the longest in the NBA history.
