LeBron James isn’t going anywhere, not less than not yet.
While on stage on the 2023 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, James confirmed he’ll play this upcoming season after he mulled retirement after the top of the NBA playoffs.
The Lakers’ star forward announced his decision while accepting the ESPY for Best Record-Breaking Performance after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer this yr.
“I don’t care what number of more points I rating, or what I can or cannot do on the ground,” James said on the awards show. “The actual query for me is: Can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give all the things on the ground is the day I’ll be done.
“Lucky for you guys, that day is just not today.”
After the Lakers were swept out of the Western Conference finals by the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets, the 38-year-old was not 100% certain about returning to the league for a twenty first season.
“We’ll see, we’ll see what happens going forward,” James said after the Lakers’ loss. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got loads to take into consideration, to be honest. I’ve got loads to take into consideration, to be honest. Only for me, going forward with the sport of basketball, I’ve got loads to take into consideration. Appreciate it.”
In an interview on Tuesday, agent Wealthy Paul said in an interview with SiriusXM that James could play into his mid-40s as Tom Brady did within the NFL.
“5 or 6 more years? Listen, he’s one guy that I’m not gonna say no about,” Paul said when asked by Frank Isola if James could play until age 44 or 45. “I feel it’s essential to know what really motivates him. I understand it.
“Obviously, I actually have been around … So long as his mind is there, so long as he’s still enthusiastic about playing the sport, along with the health, absolutely [he can].”
The 19-time All-Star still had plenty to supply to the Lakers last season, averaging nearly a double-double with 28.9 points and eight.3 rebounds per game over 55 contests in 2022-23.
James also has stated his intentions to potentially play within the NBA together with his son, Bronny, who committed to play college ball at USC for this upcoming season.
The younger James has been projected to be a mid-first-round pick in 2024.
“I used to be serious, and I’m still serious about it,” James said in May about playing within the NBA together with his son. “Simply because it’s my aspiration, it doesn’t mean it’s his. It’s not what you wish. It’s about listening to your kids and what they need.”