On Monday, Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets unceremoniously bounced LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers from the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets swept LeBron and the Lakers to earn their first trip to the NBA Finals in franchise history. The dust settled, and now all eyes are on LeBron James, as the word retirement has been thrown out.
Shortly after the Lakers’ Game 4 loss on Monday night, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes delivered a bombshell: “Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if he’ll be with team when 2023-24 season starts in fall and retirement is under consideration,” Haynes tweeted.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if he’ll be with team when 2023-24 season starts in fall and retirement is under consideration, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. https://t.co/7M3WuEzwOL
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 23, 2023
That spurred much discussion on King James and whether or not he’ll play his 21st season as an NBA player. Arash Markazi, a notable Los Angeles-area reporter, outlined a potential timeline for what a retirement could look like for James. And, in a way, disputed the report that he might retire.
“LeBron isn’t leaving without a retirement tour,” Markazi pointed out. Additionally, he said, “His goal was to play in the NBA with Bronny, who is playing 1 mile down the street next year and will be one and done.” Markazi also noted that NBA All-Star Weekend will be in LA in 2025, “which will be a LeBron retirement party,” and that Vegas ownership could come in 2026 for the NBA.
– LeBron isn’t leaving without a retirement tour.
– His goal was to play in the NBA with Bronny, who is playing 1 mile down the street next year and will be one and done.
– L.A will host 2025 NBA All-Star, which will be a LeBron retirement party.
– NBA Vegas ownership in 2026.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 23, 2023
Granted, a lot of these points are pretty safe. Everyone has connected LeBron and his son, Bronny, together since he started gaining more hype.
But as we’ve seen before, you can’t ever rule anything out in this world, can you?
