League sources: Lebron may be considering retirement this summer

[bison]

Chris Haynes
@chrisbhaynes

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://bleacherreport.com/articles/10076982-sources-lebron-james-considering-retirement-after-wcf-exit-20-nba-seasons

[1987_Lakers]

Well that was unexpected.

[BallsOut]

I'd retire too after that epic choke job

:lebronamazed:

[theman93]

I'd retire too after that epic choke job

:lebronamazed:

Lmao

[bison]

“I got a lot to think about. … Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about.”

He’s mentioned several times a desire to play with Bronny. Even throughout the season he said he’s felt physically in shape enough to play several more seasons. Either he’s being cryptic again or this series might have taken something out of him. If he’s seriously weighing retirement then I assume that he doesn’t see this laker team as championship worthy.

[Spurs m8]

God I hope so....he does nothing good for the league what so ever

[theman93]

He ain’t goin nowhere. He’s gonna try to play with Bronny.

[Spurs m8]

Maybe retire and return to play with his privileged sob

Gonna be weird watching his stans suck off his son

[RRR3]

Maybe retire and return to play with his privileged sob

Gonna be weird watching his stans suck off his son
Better hope his son isn't a superstar or you're in for another 15+ years of pain.

[BarberSchool]

Sh!t fake AF, and serves two surface purposes:

1. Makes people sympathetic to him at a time of criticism.

2. Tries to make it all about LeFraud and his future, while the spotlight should rightfully be on Denver winning their first ever franchise chip.

[SATAN]

We need another season of meltdowns before he retires. Maybe another all nba team and championship. Then hopefully Bronny will be the driving force behind the next wave of LeHater insanity. :applause:

[theman93]

Maybe retire and return to play with his privileged sob

Gonna be weird watching his stans suck off his son

Dude’s just saying this for attention probably let’s be honest.

[ImKobe]

This is a bunch of nothing. Haynes is a hack. If you read the article the whole thing is based on Bran saying that he has a lot to think about moving forward. Means nothing.

I'll host the parade if he does retire and we don't have to pay the remainder of his contract but that's just a pipe dream. He's coming back.

[RRR3]

This is a bunch of nothing. Haynes is a hack. If you read the article the whole thing is based on Bran saying that he has a lot to think about moving forward. Means nothing.

I'll host the parade if he does retire and we don't have to pay the remainder of his contract but that's just a pipe dream. He's coming back.
"I'm not a LeBron hater" he said.

[Keno]

Wow, didn’t expect this at all.

Maybe he retires one year, heal up the foot to 100% then return the following year on Bronny’s team as final season?

Regardless though, NBA won’t be the same without the GOAT

[AlternativeAcc.]

This is a bunch of nothing. Haynes is a hack. If you read the article the whole thing is based on Bran saying that he has a lot to think about moving forward. Means nothing.

I'll host the parade if he does retire and we don't have to pay the remainder of his contract but that's just a pipe dream. He's coming back.

Lakers were in a great spot before he came.

His 30/8/7 and insane leadership is worthless for sure.

[ImKobe]

"I'm not a LeBron hater" he said.

Look, it's better to move on from an aging player earlier than late. Lakers are not at the tail end of their run, Lebron is. He'd be doing them a favor by retiring now and giving them a chance to build a contender around AD for the next 3-5 years. Have you seen Bran's contract?

[ImKobe]

Lakers were in a great spot before he came.

His 30/8/7 and insane leadership is worthless for sure.

He's no longer a 30/8/7 player. We saw that post-ASB when we actually had a team. He had two 30+ pt games all Playoffs man. It's over.

[RRR3]

Look, it's better to move on from an aging player earlier than late. Lakers are not at the tail end of their run, Lebron is. He'd be doing them a favor by retiring now and giving them a chance to build a contender around AD for the next 3-5 years. Have you seen Bran's contract?
If this series didn't prove to you it's impossible to win a ring with AD as the best player idk what will. Inb4 hurr durr 2020

[LeGoat4Life]

Hope he does retire. The lakers are much better without him

Not to mention the whole league will be better without leQuit too

[BallsOut]

Please retire LeBron. This is coming from a true Laker fan. Please, please get off my team dawg.

[ImKobe]

If this series didn't prove to you it's impossible to win a ring with AD as the best player idk what will. Inb4 hurr durr 2020

So Lakers didn't look just fine without Lebron post-ASB? They struggled in the non-AD minutes a lot in these Playoffs and Lebron was on the court for all of that. Wasn't as big of an issue in the Denver series because the Nuggets didn't have a back-up 5 for Jokic but I'd rather use the 53 mil on something else than 39 y.o Lebron and give AD and Reaves the ball more.

[SATAN]

build a contender around AD for the next 3-5 years.

:roll:

[Bawkish]

:roll:

I'd rather build a mobile health facility on him every time he's playing

[BallsOut]

So Lakers didn't look just fine without Lebron post-ASB? They struggled in the non-AD minutes a lot in these Playoffs and Lebron was on the court for all of that. Wasn't as big of an issue in the Denver series because the Nuggets didn't have a back-up 5 for Jokic but I'd rather use the 53 mil on something else than 39 y.o Lebron and give AD and Reaves the ball more.

These Bron Stans conveniently forget Lakers were outside playoffs looking in when LeBron was playing. Once he sat out, they climbed into the playoffs before LeBron rejoined to save face.

[SouBeachTalents]

So Lakers didn't look just fine without Lebron post-ASB? They struggled in the non-AD minutes a lot in these Playoffs and Lebron was on the court for all of that. Wasn't as big of an issue in the Denver series because the Nuggets didn't have a back-up 5 for Jokic but I'd rather use the 53 mil on something else than 39 y.o Lebron and give AD and Reaves the ball more.
They went 8-5 without him, 9-2 with him, with 7 of those wins coming by double digits, then made the conference finals with him as the leading scorer.

[ImKobe]

:roll:

Ok. Let's build a contender around a 39 y.o Bran for the next 3-5 years then. That sounds like a plan.

[ImKobe]

They went 8-5 without him, 9-2 with him, with 7 of those wins coming by double digits, then made the conference finals with him as the leading scorer.

Oh, you're telling me the Lakers played better when they had both of their 2 best players on the court? Shocking. Now, replace that 53 mil with more spacing and depth and you do even better in the non-Lebron minutes. Dlo was out too along with Lebron in some of those games and he was contributing to spacing & winning basketball in that stretch.

Or, keep betting on an aging star player in year 21 & beyond and put your title hopes on him being healthy deep into the Playoffs with him taking up the 3rd of the cap. Idk, tough call.

[SATAN]

Ok. Let's build a contender around a 39 y.o Bran for the next 3-5 years then. That sounds like a plan.

It doesn't have to be or the other. Lakers have some pieces. A balanced approach could be nice. Have them two leading but try giving Reaves and Rui more opportunities and hope they keep developing. :confusedshrug:

[SouBeachTalents]

Oh, you're telling me the Lakers played better when they had both of their 2 best players on the court? Shocking. Now, replace that 53 mil with more spacing and depth and you do even better in the non-Lebron minutes. Dlo was out too along with Lebron in some of those games and he was contributing to spacing & winning basketball in that stretch.

Or, keep betting on an aging star player in year 21 & beyond and put your title hopes on him being healthy deep into the Playoffs with him taking up the 3rd of the cap. Idk, tough call.
Forget even the LeBron aspect of the equation, you're delusional if you think AD is leading the Lakers anywhere without another top 10-15 player on the team like LeBron. He get exposed big time offensively these playoffs, having literally a shit offensive showing every other game. And this is with him miraculously managing to stay healthy for a deep playoff run, I seriously wouldn't bet on that happening too often, if ever again.

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

I rather Lebron not retire, go ring chase 2 more years but on his final year get to play with his son Bronny somehow while contending for a chip. Gave 20 years to the sport and accomplished so much. As a Laker fan and Lebron fan(wasnt before), LA trade him to a contender, sign and trade Dlo, LA get Irving plus some good roll players. If LA cant be a contender next year, maybe best to move on from a aging Lebron.

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

It doesn't have to be or the other. Lakers have some pieces. A balanced approach could be nice. Have them two leading but try giving Reaves and Rui more opportunities and hope they keep developing. :confusedshrug:

Thats banking on Reave and Rui taking big strides next year. Dont think thats happening specially for Rui. I feel like for Rui to shine, Lebron cant be there taking his shots/minutes.

[dunksby]

https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/w_680/t_in_content_image/dflwuvm3egfkwv3esmyf.png

[TheMan]

Wow, didn’t expect this at all.

Maybe he retires one year, heal up the foot to 100% then return the following year on Bronny’s team as final season?

Regardless though, NBA won’t be the same without the GOATTrue

It'll be better without that flopping primadonna :lol

[ImKobe]

It doesn't have to be or the other. Lakers have some pieces. A balanced approach could be nice. Have them two leading but try giving Reaves and Rui more opportunities and hope they keep developing. :confusedshrug:

What's your idea of a balanced approach when Lebron is paid like a superstar and is not going to be healthy in the POs? So the team essentially has all their cap tied up to 4 guys and a bunch of vet min players, where one injury to any of the top 4 probably sidelines the entire season?

As a Laker fan I'm tired of this approach since it's backfired in all but 1 of the seasons in the Lebron era, and they had had 5 months of rest when they did make the Finals & won it all so if we leave out those extreme circumstances they're 0 - 4 in making the Finals in all the "normal" seasons or 0 - 3 if you do just the Bran-AD era.


Forget even the LeBron aspect of the equation, you're delusional if you think AD is leading the Lakers anywhere without another top 10-15 player on the team like LeBron. He get exposed big time offensively these playoffs, having literally a shit offensive showing every other game. And this is with him miraculously managing to stay healthy for a deep playoff run, I seriously wouldn't bet on that happening too often, if ever again.

My idea is replacing Lebron's huge contract with a couple younger, more healthier guys and building a more balanced roster. Essentially I'd like to see the Lakers follow the blueprint of what the Spurs did with an aging Duncan. They have their version of Manu in Austin Reaves and they can find more pieces to put around those two (good 3&D role players, another ballhandler) to build a team that's consistently in the mix.

So you think AD was shit offensively in the games where he was like 6/9 for 16 points in a blowout G6 win vs. Memphis? Or 5/9 for 17 in a blowout vs GS?

You do know Lebron had the same amount of 40-pt games, 2 less 30+pt games and only 1 more game of 25+ points than AD despite taking 41 more shots (2.5 extra FGA per game) than him? Look at all the possessions Lebron wasted with his horrible 3PT shots.

So if AD was terrible on offense by your logic, what was Lebron?

"oh but Lebron is old and injured" -- exactly!!!

[SATAN]

Thats banking on Reave and Rui taking big strides next year. Dont think thats happening specially for Rui. I feel like for Rui to shine, Lebron cant be there taking his shots/minutes.

LeBron having to play so many minutes was a problem this season. Rui looks to have unlocked potential but not the bball IQ, which LeBron and AD can help with.

Time will tell what happens. :confusedshrug:

[Axe]

Sad.

[Spurs m8]

Let's not act like this egotistical attention seeker isnt gonna do a farewell tour.

So he's 100% not retiring

[Lakers Legend#32]

Every player wants to retire in May.

Bron got $46.7 million reasons to come back next year.

[JohnFreeman]

I think LeBron should retire before he does anymore damage to his legacy and I am the biggest LeBron fan on this site. Not top 5 GOAT status imo.

[TheMan]

Every player wants to retire in May.

Bron got $46.7 million reasons to come back next year.

Dawg, 46.7 million ain't shit to him, he's a billionaire

[coin24]

Letiny is just an attention whore, he always pulls shit like this..

Reminds me of his dunk comp promise, he can’t stand anyone else getting the spotlight.
Not being in the finals and wemby on the way is burning him. He’s trying to make it the summer of bran, will he retire or not?:facepalm

[Spurs m8]

Did he shake hands after the game tonight or did he have a b1tch fit and run down the tunnel like a bad sportsman sook?

Always the first to want his handshakes if he wins though
What a b1tch

[Spurs m8]

Just saw he actually had some class tonight.

Good on him

[SATAN]

:yaohappy:

:facepalm

[JohnMax]

I believe him.

The Powers That Be have no more use for him since he completed his final task which was to surpass Kareem. If they wanted him to have more than 4 championships, they would have maximized those 10 Finals appearances.

[plowking]

Dawg, 46.7 million ain't shit to him, he's a billionaire

50 million is a lot to everyone. Especially billionaires.

[ILLsmak]

50 million is a lot to everyone. Especially billionaires.

I'm not a billionaire, but I honestly wonder. Esp when it's structured into a contract. 82 games, being injured, the assumption is if he leaves the 50m on the table he won't be able to make say 30m just being LeBron doing nothing. I think of things more as intake/cost. As long as you are making money, iz gud. Bron does not need basketball to make money.

Can he help his legacy anymore? P not. He can't change teams again, imo. His team isn't really built, either. He talks about playing w/ his son, but there's no way that's not a violation of some NBA tampering law haha if he's like yea I'll sign but you gotta pick up my son, too. All he can really do now is add to his point total, lower his averages, etc. Take more Ls. I dunno, but I'd wanna retire too after seeing Jokic hit 23 foot step backs.

It's not about whether he can compete at a high level (I'd say he can?,) but it's more about the worth. I'd say he's NOT gonna retire... but I do imagine he's considering a lot of non bball related things in his decision. I just think it's hard for someone to walk away from ball. Esp someone who has lived it since childhood.

-Smak

[Manny98]

I think if the Lakers don't improve there roster he will most likely retire

He's got the points record and 4 rings so he has nothing left to prove so if he believes that the Lakers can't win with the moves they make in the off-season then he'll retire

[HoopologyPhD]

Don't let LeDoor hit you on the way out!

[tresbigdog]

God I hope so....he does nothing good for the league what so ever


yeah, you aren't too bright

[Axe]

yeah, you aren't too bright
Lmao that's gotta slice sharply.

[Lebron23]

yeah, you aren't too bright

That guy is an idiot.

[Axe]

That guy is an idiot.
:roll:

[tresbigdog]

Wow, didn’t expect this at all.

Maybe he retires one year, heal up the foot to 100% then return the following year on Bronny’s team as final season?

Regardless though, NBA won’t be the same without the GOAT

can he do that with 1 year remaining on his contract though? If he sat a year, then came back, would he still have that 1 year over his head?

[TheMan]

50 million is a lot to everyone. Especially billionaires.

My point is that money won't be the deciding factor, he's already filthy rich. If he comes back, it won't be because he needs the cash.

[hold this L]

LeAttentionWhore does it again, move the news from him getting swept (a third time) and instead make it some will he won't he. :applause: Never seen anybody be this sensitive when it comes to the media despite the fact that 90% of them kiss his ass all the time.

[Airupthere]

Make it happen bron! Who are we kidding though. He won't do it. All of this is part of his attention seeking behavior.

[3ba11]

Well that was unexpected.


You thought this guy was going to persevere through tough times?

LOL

When did he ever do that?..

The man was given $100 million before dribbling a pro ball, so he didn't have to prove himself to get generational wealth and then was allowed to hand-pick his teams once he was in the league... He enlisted the media to beg for trades each year.. that's the definition of coddled.

So now he's quitting because he knows it's over and there's no more team-hopping to manufacture another title.. He knows that he isn't good enough to be on a championship team anymore... so he's quitting.. lol

[FireDavidKahn]

Lol, LeBron aint retiring.

https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/1660996183349940224


- 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.

[Wally450]

Spoiler: He isn't retiring.

If anything, it's something to keep him in the news now that he's out of the playoffs. He'll still get talked about more than the Finals. He knows what he's doing. :rockon:

[plowking]

Trade AD trending on Twitter.

[Airupthere]

Lol, LeBron aint retiring.

https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/1660996183349940224

Lol, everyone knows. Everyone can predict bran well.

[WhiteKyrie]

Well that was unexpected.

Trying to pull an MJ. I expected it. Then come out of retirement for whatever team drafts his son. He can steroid up in the time being.

[BallsOut]

Trade AD trending on Twitter.

Anthony Davis for Kyrie Irving + 10th pick.
Lakers sign Dillon Brooks.

Another good offseason for Pelinka

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Lebron should consider it.

People are saying dude played hurt. Even so, he'll only be on the decline going forward. Retire while you're still playing at a respectable level. Not washed up or hobbled from another injury.

[nineiron]

trust me, we won't be that lucky. this colossal d-bag will be back.

[pegasus]

It's probably just a ploy to get the front office to make the moves he wants done. He would actually be doing them a favor by retiring with his colossal contract. I bet he is not happy that Reaves earned a big pay check, which will mean they can't sign another superstar if they keep him. He knows AD and now an excellent third option Reaves and a solid supporting cast won't be enough, because it never has been, even when he was in his prime. He may "retire" to get out of his contract and then have a "change of heart" and sign with a loaded team.

Anyway, who cares? It's almost time to talk about the NBA finals now. That should be the main topic until the NBA Draft.

[Phoenix]

Anyway, who cares? It's almost time to talk about the NBA finals now. That should be the main topic until the NBA Draft.

Both this forum and sports talk shows this morning are insuffferable( well they always are, but more than normal). Joker could win the title 3 weeks from now dropping 35/15/12, FMVP, and all the threads and talk shows will be yammering on about Lebron and the Lakers. It's why I said a few days ago in another thread that Denver/Miami won't draw numbers. Sites like this are a microcoysm of what the average fan cares about.

[HoopologyPhD]

I predict Lebron will break MJ's record of returning from retirement twice and go for the trifecta!

[BallsOut]

Lebron should consider it.

People are saying dude played hurt. Even so, he'll only be on the decline going forward. Retire while you're still playing at a respectable level. Not washed up or hobbled from another injury.

As a Laker fan, I 100% support LeBron’s retirement but you know it won’t happen. LeBron isn’t leaving 50mill on the table. Dude barely plays 50 games a season. That’s one million per game.

[Charlie Sheen]

Spoiler: He isn't retiring.

If anything, it's something to keep him in the news now that he's out of the playoffs. He'll still get talked about more than the Finals. He knows what he's doing. :rockon:

:lol

He was paying attention to Aaron Rodgers milking his offseason with that darkness retreat

[dankok8]

Trade AD trending on Twitter.

Trading AD ruins the Lakers. His offensive inconsistency is drawing all the headlines but dude was an all-time great defender in these playoffs. And yes including the Denver series. Jokic and Murray just made a few ridiculously difficult shots over Davis. That's what great offensive players do but it doesn't reflect poorly on Davis.

Trade AD and this LA team becomes middle of the pack on defense.

[red1]

damn thats a shame if the GOAT retires

[Charlie Sheen]

Trading AD ruins the Lakers. His offensive inconsistency is drawing all the headlines but dude was an all-time great defender in these playoffs. And yes including the Denver series. Jokic and Murray just made a few ridiculously difficult shots over Davis. That's what great offensive players do but it doesn't reflect poorly on Davis.

Trade AD and this LA team becomes middle of the pack on defense.

Ruins the Lakers? AD is eligible for FA in 2024. It is a risk/reward proposition.

[BallsOut]

Anthony Davis for Kyrie Irving + 10th pick.
Lakers sign Dillon Brooks.

Another good offseason for Pelinka

Get it done Pelinka

[warriorfan]

Sh!t fake AF, and serves two surface purposes:

1. Makes people sympathetic to him at a time of criticism.

2. Tries to make it all about LeFraud and his future, while the spotlight should rightfully be on Denver winning their first ever franchise chip.

real shit right here

[Full Court]

Ain't gonna happen. Sorry Lakers fans, you're not getting rid of your dead weight that easily. :roll:

[SaltyMeatballs]

Not a chance in hell he retires :oldlol: Just put up 40 in the WCF and he looked like he was at 70%. Still has another solid 2-3 years left

[Spurs m8]

yeah, you aren't too bright

Fuming