LeBron James’ new contract with the Lakers brings more questions than answers.
He agreed to a two-year, $104 million extension, but it’s really a one-year deal with an option for 2025-26.
“So LeBron James returns … and takes his future year-to-year now in the NBA,” wrote Wojnarowski.
So LeBron James returns on a 1-plus-1 deal for his 22nd season and takes his future year-to-year now in the NBA.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
LeBron has always wanted to play alongside his son Bronny, and now that dream is set to come true in the 2024-25 season. The Lakers picked Bronny at No. 55 overall in the draft. This makes fans wonder if LeBron might retire after next season.
He hinted at retirement after being swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals last year. “I’ve got a lot to think about,” he said then. And again, after another playoff loss to Denver this year, he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin: “It’s still coming.”
“It’s not like I’m playing so great this year… No. It’s coming,” LeBron admitted.
LeBron’s Future:
Despite playing amazingly well—71 games with averages of 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game—he’s still thinking about calling it quits soon.
During All-Star weekend, he talked about maybe having a farewell tour but was unsure: “I guess I owe it to my fans that’s been along this journey with me for two decades plus to give them that moment,” he said before adding he’s never been good at accepting praise.
Lakers’ LeBron James: “I don’t know how many seasons I have left. I know it’s not that many. … I was asked this question a couple days ago: ‘Will you take the farewell tour or just Tim Duncan it?’ I’m 50/50.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver)
The idea of an NBA without King James feels strange and surreal .
What do you think will happen next?
