LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Following the Game 4 loss, James hinted toward retiring from the NBA this summer.
James is yet to provide confirmation of his decision. Meanwhile, an anonymous NBA general manager told Heavy Sports that there is no way LeBron James will retire with nearly $100 million still left on his contract.
“Just don’t,” a GM told Heavy Sports. “It’s not happening. It is a good team now, he is playing well, they used their [2027] draft pick in a trade like he wanted. He has two years and about $50 million per year on his contract. LeBron has always been a guy who is going to get his money. And he should, good for him. He has a lot of reasons to keep going. Leaving $100 million on the table, that is a significant one for him.”
The GM thinks LeBron made those comments due to the frustration of losing 4-0 in the Conference Finals.
“Listening to him sounded like I was listening to a 38-year-old who just got swept and was exhausted. That’s all. This will sit out there for a month or two, then he will confirm he is coming back by mid-July.”
There is a very real chance that James just needs a break after a tiring 2022-23 NBA season. From starting the season with a 2-10 record to getting swept in the Conference Finals, it may be too much for him to handle.
Even in Game 4, James left it all out on the floor. He recorded 40 points, 10, rebounds, and 9 assists while playing the entire 48 minutes.
LeBron James Is A Billionaire
LeBron James is an incredible basketball player. There are no two ways to look at it. Apart from being a sensational player, James is also an excellent businessman.
As a result, James has ballooned his net worth while staying playing in the league. In 2022, the King became the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status.
Keeping that in mind, it may seem like a stretch that James would consider not retiring due to financial reasons.
Either way, if James still decides to retire from the league. It would be a very unfitting end to one of the greatest careers in the history of the NBA.
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