The Los Angeles Lakers were swept at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. It is the first trip to the NBA Finals that the Nuggets are taking in franchise history, but that took a backseat to the other outcome of the series.
Following the loss in Game 4 on Monday, LeBron James hinted at potentially retiring from the NBA. Players are emotional after losses, especially one as taxing as what James just went through. He did everything in his power to help his team get a win, scoring 40 points with eight rebounds and nine assists.
Ultimately, it wasn’t enough as the Lakers lost by two and his missed shots on the last two possessions of the game. Coupled with the emotions he was likely feeling after one of his food friends, Carmelo Anthony, announced his retirement from the NBA hours prior and it was a lot to process.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Everyone is offering up opinions and guesses as to how long James will continue playing if he does at all. NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium offered up his opinion during a recent episode of Run It Back on FanDuel TV.
“My sense is LeBron could have two years left remaining in his career,” Shams said. “… Just a few months ago, he could have had season-ending surgery on that tendon. He’s had to have such a big load on this team as far as how much he’s gotta carry them on a night-to-night basis.”
It is hard to imagine James going out in that fashion after being swept. But this was a tough season for him. He is still dealing with a foot injury that cost him nearly a month of playing time near the end of the regular season and went through a gauntlet in the Western Conference playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“There’s certainly an expectation that he’s gonna continue playing. He’s got two years left on his Lakers deal,” Charania continued. “… It would be a true surprise if he really did actually retire.”
The expectation that Charania has is one that many people share. Going out in that fashion seems like something that wouldn’t sit right with James. Also, he has always stated that the last goal he had in the NBA was to play alongside his son, Bronny, which could come to fruition in 2024.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Ultimately, it will come down to how he feels physically. That foot injury will have to be dealt with during the offseason, but it would be truly shocking if he didn’t play out at least this contract and make a run at playing alongside his son.
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