LeBron James admits he's nearing retirement: 'I don't have much time left'
LeBron James might still be producing ridiculous numbers for a player his age, but he might be considering retirement "very soon."
In an interview with HoopsHype's senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto following the Lakers 130-116 win over the Brooklyn Nets, James shared he does not have that much time left playing in the league before hanging it up once and for all.
“Not very long – I’m on the other side of the heel obviously so I’m not gonna play another 21 years that’s for damn sure,” James said. “I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I retire, but I don’t have much time left.”
LeBron James on how much longer he’ll play in the NBA: “Not very long. I’m on the other side of the heel. I’m not going to play another 21 years. That’s for damn sure. Not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I retire, but I don’t have much time left.” pic.twitter.com/4FYeriGaDP
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 1, 2024
The Lakers’ superstar has expressed his desire to wait for his eldest son LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. and play together before retiring. The younger James just finished his freshman season at USC and it remains to be seen if he opts to join the 2024 NBA draft later in the summer.
Even at 39 years old, James still sets records and surpasses expectations. In LA’s win over Brooklyn, he poured in 40 points, draining a career-high tying 9 three-pointers. James also surpassed the great Michael Jordan with the most 30-point games in NBA history with 672 games and counting.
Already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and the first player ever to score 40,000 points or more, James is averaging an impressive 25.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists in his 21st NBA season.
James currently has a $54.1 million player option on his contract for the 2024-25 NBA season, and then he is set to become an unrestricted free agent.