As LeBron James prepares to make his record-breaking 20th appearance in the NBA All-Star Game, it appears as though the Los Angeles Lakers star has retirement on his mind.
In a press conference before the All-Star Game, James admitted that he hopes to end his career with the Lakers. He didn’t give a specific timeline on when he might hang up his shoes, but he did briefly address his NBA future.
“I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left. I know it’s not that many,” James said on Sunday. “I am a Laker, and I’ve been very happy being a Laker the last six years, and hopefully it stays that way. I don’t have the answer to how long it will be or what uniform I’ll be wearing. Hopefully, it’s with the Lakers. It’s a great organization with so many greats. We’ll see. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming.”
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.” pic.twitter.com/G6olIePlnG
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 18, 2024
Prior to the NBA trade deadline, the 39-year-old was reportedly targeted by the Golden State Warriors, but James closed the door on any potential deal. He has reiterated in the past that he wants to play with his son, Bronny, who could enter the 2024 NBA Draft this June, and the Lakers have in turn been “willing to explore” the prospect of adding Bronny James next season, according a report from The Athletic.
As for how his future retirement plan might play out, James said he was undecided on whether he wanted to end his career with a farewell tour or “just Tim Duncan it.”
“I’m 50-50,” continued James. “I’m going to be honest. There are times I feel like I owe it to my fans who have been along this journey with me for two decades-plus, to be able to give them that moment, where it’s every city, and they give you your flowers or 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.
“To go to each city, if that’s the case—I’ve seen Michael [Jordan]’s, I’ve seen Kobe [Bryant]’s, I’ve seen a lot of guys’ [farewell tour]—I just don’t know how I’d feel. I don’t know if I’d feel great about it. Maybe the only child in me. I don’t know.”
James, currently in his sixth year with the Lakers and 21st year in the NBA, is eligible to opt-out at the end of the 2023-24 season. However, he’s made perfectly clear his intentions to stay in Los Angeles.
