There were a lot of headlines to take away from the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. Denver swept Los Angeles, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. That should have been the lead for every discussion, but there was a lot of attention given to the Lakers.
How the series was reported on, with a slant toward the purple and gold, was something that irked Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. After every game, the focus was on how the Lakers can turn things around, not how his Nuggets had gotten the job done.
The biggest topic following the series was the future of LeBron James. While Denver celebrated advancing, all of the attention in Los Angeles was on whether or not James would be coming back for the 2023-24 season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, LA Clippers, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
For a while now, James has been adamant that he wanted to play in the NBA with his son, Bronny. It was the last item on his basketball bucket list and the 2024-25 season could be when that happens. But, there is a chance he isn’t around that long.
Following the loss to the Nuggets, James, who finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as he attempted to drag his team to a win, hinted that retirement was a possibility. There were likely a lot of emotions flowing after the game.
Not only did his team lose, but one of his best friends, Carmelo Anthony, announced his retirement from the NBA. James is the last of the famed 2003 NBA Draft class that remains active and he could be feeling that the end is near more than any other point in his career.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, LA Clippers, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It is something that many people have offered an opinion on. The latest player to sound off on a possible James retirement was Paul George. The Los Angeles Clippers star recently spoke out about the retirement rumors surrounding the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“I mean, that’s LeBron’s decision,” George told me during our interview. “He’s given us 20 amazing years, it’s crazy that we’re still baffled that he’s thinking about retirement with all he’s done and all he’s given this game. I think… at some point I think that’s what he’s holding onto… I hope he can…he may have just taken time off to re-gather, regroup and come back when it’s time to play with his son.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, LA Clippers, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Taking some time off is certainly a possibility. Whether that means not making an official decision until late into the summer or even taking a one-year hiatus, is anyone’s guess. It would be hard to imagine James stepping away after losing in that fashion in the NBA Finals, but nothing is off the table when it comes to his future.
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