Whenever Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James elects to close the curtains on his NBA career, he undoubtedly will waltz into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on a first-ballot induction.
However, as James continues his trek of defying father time in his 21st NBA season, it didn’t stop the four-time NBA champion from asking why active NBA players must retire before entering the hall of fame.
“Why do players have to be retired before going into the HOF?? Coaches get in while still coaching rightfully so. Wondering what’s the difference though🧐,” James tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
As it stands currently, coaches must be fully retired for four full seasons or must have coached as a full-time assistant or head coach on the high school, college or professional level for a minimum of 25 years to be eligible for the hall of fame. Then, in their 26th year of coaching or their sixth year in retirement, coaches can be considered for the Hall of Fame, according to the Hall’s election process.
Why do players have to be retired before going into the HOF?? Coaches get in while still coaching rightfully so. Wondering what’s the difference though🧐
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 23, 2023
But for players like James, they must be retired for four full seasons before becoming eligible for enshrinement. After the four, players can be considered for induction into the hall of fame in their fifth year of retirement.
It’s absurd to think that James is only four years away from 25 NBA seasons. If James played 25 full seasons and retired following the 2027-28 season, he wouldn’t be considered for induction until the 2032-33 campaign. However, if James was able to follow the active coaches designation for hall of fame consideration, he would be eligible for enshrinement in the ’33-34 season.
Realistically, if James retires at the end of the 2023-24 season, the 19-time All-Star would be eligible for the HOF in the ’28-29 season. Whenever James concludes his basketball career, he will be enshrined into hoops paradise in his first year of consideration.
