Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James played through a torn tendon in his right foot the last few months of the regular season and the entire 2023 playoffs, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
James, 38, could need surgery this summer. The King suffered his injury on February 26 against the Dallas Mavericks.
James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN and Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report after the Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that he may retire this summer. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP just finished his 20th season in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists during the 2023 postseason while shooting 49.8% from the field, 26.4% from beyond the arc, and 76.1% from the free-throw line. The Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round in six games and the Golden State Warriors in the second round in six games.
James signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers last summer. The 19-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer has a player option for the 2024-25 season. During his postgame press conference after the Nuggets series ended, LeBron hinted at retirement.
“We’ll see. We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
James is first all-time in points, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fourth in triple-doubles, third in player efficiency rating, sixth in points per game, and second in win shares. He will go down as arguably the best player in NBA history if he retires this offseason.
“I’m simply not sure if I’ll be back in the fall when the season begins,” James told Haynes after the Lakers lost Game 4 to the Nuggets. “I have a lot to think about.”
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