Lately, people across the basketball world have been wondering how much longer LeBron James will be sticking around with the Los Angeles Lakers. He can opt out of his contract to become a free agent this summer, and with the Lakers struggling to sustain momentum this season, it isn’t a foregone conclusion he will stay put.
The Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers tried to trade for him prior to the trade deadline, and at least one team is expected to go after him this offseason. On the other hand, James has two kids, Bronny and Bryce, who are attending Los Angeles-area schools and may have NBA potential, which could just motivate him to remain with the Lakers.
During media availability at NBA All-Star weekend, James said he has loved being a Laker and that he hopes “it stays that way.”
“I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left. I know it’s not many… I am a Laker. I’ve been very happy being a Laker the last 6 years, and hopefully it stays that way… I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming.”
– LeBron Jamespic.twitter.com/PwZfzRbmtx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2024
Perhaps the biggest thing that would get him to stay with the team is another late-season run like the one it had last year. Another one may be brewing, as it has won six of its last seven games and 11 of its last 16 while averaging 124.2 points a game in those last 16 contests.
LeBron James doesn't know if he wants a farewell tour
The 39-year-old also said this weekend that he’s not sure how many more seasons he will play in the NBA, and that once he reaches the end of his career, he’s not sure if he would want a farewell tour.
“I was asked this question a couple days ago — will you kind of take the farewell tour or will you kind of just Tim Duncan it? I’m 50-50. I’m gonna be honest because there’s times when I feel like I guess I owe it to my fans that’s been along this journey with me for two decades-plus, to be able to give them that moment where it’s every city and whatever the case may be, and they give you your flowers and whatever the case may be. That seems cool. But the other side — I’ve never been that great with accepting praise. It’s a weird feeling for me. I’ve never really talked about it much. … I just don’t know how will I feel. I don’t know if I will feel great about it.”
His contract runs through next season, which is the player option year on his current deal.
