The Los Angeles Lakers continue to operate as if superstar small forward LeBron James will be back next season, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
After the Lakers lost Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets, James hinted that he might retire this offseason. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is 38 years old.
“Though there has been no formal announcement yet, the Lakers continue to operate as if James will be back next season, despite him hinting at the possibility of retirement in a news conference following the Lakers’ season-ending Game 4 defeat to Denver in the West finals,” Buha wrote.
James signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last offseason. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has a torn tendon in his right foot and he may need surgery this summer, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
If James has surgery, he could be sidelined for two months.
“Lakers superstar LeBron James played the last few months with a torn tendon in his foot that could require surgery this offseason, league sources confirmed to The Athletic,” Charania wrote. “James will undergo further evaluations, but a surgery that could sideline him for two months during the offseason is among the possibilities, sources indicated. If surgery is required, James would be expected to recover by the start of training camp next season.”
James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists this past season while shooting 50.0% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The 19-time All-Star put up 24.5 points, 9.9 boards and 6.5 assists per game in the 2023 playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Nuggets.
LeBron turns 39 on December 30, 2023.
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