Since losing in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, there’s been a lot of discussion around where the Los Angeles Lakers go from here.
A lot of talk is about whether or not LeBron James will remain with the team. Some think he wants a fresh start elsewhere. Others wonder if he might just decide to retire.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins think it’s time for King James to call it a career.
“I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don’t want to see more of LeBron James. … The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it’s going to hurt his legacy and the more it’s going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument.”
"I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don't want to see more of LeBron James. … The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it's going to hurt his legacy and the more it's going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument."
—@KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/WbU2IpjDWZ
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 6, 2024
It’s not like James has fallen off like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant towards the end of their careers. In most years, LeBron would still be in the running for MVP.
The 39-year-old superstar averaged nearly 26 points per game, seven rebounds and eight assists this season. Does that sound like a guy who is ready to retire?
There are players in NBA lineups now who don’t put up those types of numbers and they are younger than LeBron. As far as his legacy goes, it’s cemented. No one thought less of Jordan when his numbers went down and no one talks about his years in Washington after he left the Chicago Bulls.
So Big Perk may be way off on this retirement talk about LeBron James.
