Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is still going strong in his 22nd season, even recently becoming the oldest player in league history to record three straight triple-doubles, but we now have a better idea of when he will decide to retire.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, LeBron is expected to play just one more season, possibly even two, coinciding with the debut of his youngest son, Bryce James.
“My sense is next season could potentially be his last season in the NBA. … Maybe Bryce James keeps him around an extra year or two.”
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 14, 2024
—@ShamsCharania on LeBron's future in the NBA 👀 pic.twitter.com/ByPkcvl9KU
James playing one more season or two at the most gives fans an end date for one of the most incredible careers in the history of the NBA.
Goat debate aside, no one can say they have been good for as long as LeBron. Playing 23 or 24 seasons at a high level gives him a strong case for being at least the second-greatest player in league history, probably the best player in league history.
His retirement would have major ripple effects for the Lakers, who are built around him and Davis as their best players. Without him, that would force the Lakers to drastically alter their roster to remain competitive but can they?
How would LeBron James' pending retirement affect the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers have historically been built on star power but they have taken a more conservative approach to team building in recent years. That is easy to do when you have two top-15 players on your team but much harder with just one who is over the age of 30. When LeBron retires, they won't have many of their own draft picks but should still have enough to potentially make a big trade to pair Davis with another star.
There have been fewer stars available in recent years thanks to them signing long-term contract extensions. Be that as it may, the most likely trade target for the Lakers could be Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. While the Hawks' retooling around Young appears to be going fairly well at the moment, he is only under contract for one more guaranteed year after this season.
If he doesn't like the direction the franchise is heading in or doesn't believe that they will contend in the near future, he could make that known and put pressure on the Hawks to move him while his value is still high. Whether the Lakers can orchestrate another big trade for a star is unclear, but it seems that we now have an end date in sight for LeBron, one of the greatest players of all time.