Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James has “revamped energy” heading into the 2023-24 season, according to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
LeBron announced at the 2023 ESPY Awards that he’ll be playing next season after hinting at retirement after the Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
“The term that was used when I asked about how LeBron’s feeling going into this year was ‘revamped energy,’ a source close to LeBron told me,” McMenamin said. “And you think about this summer, his top priority was getting medical care and attention, seeking out specialists for his son Bronny, who had that heart ailment affect him at his early practice with USC. But as part of that, while LeBron was traveling along with Bronny, he was finding gyms. And I’m told that he started before the sun came up, was his regular routine, and in the weeks leading up to training camp opening up next week, he’s been doing two-a-day practices.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last offseason. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season. The future Hall of Famer averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season.
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 Akron native was still one of the best players in the world despite being 38 years old.
The Lakers re-signed D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes this offseason. General manager Rob Pelinka said during Summer League in Las Vegas that LeBron and Anthony Davis have recovered from the respective foot ailments they suffered and played through last season.
LeBron missed 13 straight games from late February until late March because of a torn tendon in his right foot. The Chosen One didn’t require offseason surgery.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron is averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 278 games with the Lakers. He guided the franchise to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida. LeBron will wear No. 23 again next season after ditching No. 6 to honor the late great Bill Russell.
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