Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James announced at the 2023 ESPY Awards that he’ll be playing next NBA season.
James hinted at retirement after the Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. However, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will be back for his 21st season.
James signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last summer. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season. “The King” averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season while shooting 50.0% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
LeBron then 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. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP was still one of the best players in the world despite being 38 years old.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers re-signed D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, guaranteed Jarred Vanderbilt’s 2023-24 salary and signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes this summer. General manager Rob Pelinka said during Summer League in Las Vegas that James and Anthony Davis have recovered from the respective foot ailments they suffered and played through last season.
James missed 13 straight games from late February until late March because of a torn tendon in his right foot. Meanwhile, Davis missed 20 straight games from mid-December until late January with a bone spur and stress reaction in his right foot. It appears neither James nor Davis underwent surgery.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
James can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024 and sign with the team his son, Bronny, gets drafted by. It will be fascinating to see if that happens since no father has played with or against his son in the league.
