Report: LeBron James Prefers To Retire With Lakers

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, LeBron James prefers to retire with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers.

“Both James and the Lakers would prefer he retire a Laker, according to team and league sources,” Buha wrote. 

Buha, who covers the Lakers, detailed the five options LeBron has this summer: 

• Opt into his contract for next season with the Lakers.
• Opt in and extend with the Lakers for as much as three years and $164 million.
• Opt out and re-sign with the Lakers for as much as three years, $162 million.
• Opt out and sign with another team for as much as three years, $157.5 million.
• Retire.

LeBron is averaging 25.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists on the season while shooting 53.3% overall, 41.6% from 3 and 75.2% from the foul line. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is 15th in the NBA in points, 13th in points per game, eighth in assists and sixth in assists per game. 

LeBron is 39 years old. He’s the oldest player in the NBA. 

“Not very long,” LeBron said when he was asked how long he will play in the NBA. “Not very long. I’m on the other side, obviously, of the hill. I’m not gonna play another 21 years, that’s for damn sure. But not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I’ll retire. But I don’t have much time left.”

LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists. The King wants to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA. No father has played with or against his son in the NBA. 

Bronny can enter the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for USC this season.