Lou Williams recently shared his thoughts on LeBron James’ potential retirement timeline during an appearance on ‘Run It Back’ TV. Williams speculated that the 2024-25 season could be LeBron’s final run in the NBA, highlighting a few key factors that might influence this decision.
“I’m buying it because the Lakers probably will draft Bronny with one of their three picks. That’s gonna feed the beast where he wanted to play with his son. His body is already kind of aching and wearing down.”
“I think he can play another two years, but he’s also said he’s looking at this from year to year. I’ve seen this movie before. I played with Kobe in this last year. He started that season off dead serious.”
“He was prepared to compete, realized that his body wasn’t gonna give him everything that he wanted, and it turned into a farewell tour. You know what your body is gonna give you and whatnot. Like we were 10 to 12 games in before it turned into a farewell tour for Kobe. It didn’t start the season that way.” (32:55)
Williams believes the Lakers will prioritize selecting LeBron’s son, Bronny James, in the upcoming NBA draft. LeBron has expressed a strong desire to play alongside his son in the NBA, making this a likely scenario.
Williams highlights LeBron’s motivation to fulfill his dream of playing with his son, despite his aging body and the physical toll of his long career. Williams acknowledges that while LeBron could potentially play for another two years, he has also hinted at taking it year by year based on how his body feels.
Williams also shared how Kobe Bryant began his final season with competitive intentions, only to realize that his body could no longer sustain the demands, which led to his final season becoming a farewell tour. Williams believes a similar scenario could unfold for LeBron.
LeBron has long expressed his desire to play alongside his son, Bronny, in the NBA. With Bronny expected to enter the NBA draft soon, there is a strong possibility the Lakers will draft him if given the opportunity. This would fulfill LeBron’s dream of sharing the court with his son, potentially marking the culmination of his illustrious career.
Despite these speculations, there are reports suggesting LeBron might sign a new two or three-year deal with the Lakers. The franchise appears ready to offer him whatever he wants, indicating their willingness to accommodate his wishes as he nears the end of his career.
However, the Lakers’ search for a new head coach faced a setback when Dan Hurley declined a massive $70 million contract to stay at UConn. This echoes a similar situation from 2004 when Mike Krzyzewski turned down a Lakers offer. The pursuit of Hurley, possibly influenced by LeBron’s advice to consider Anthony Davis’ future with the team, highlights the complex dynamics at play as the Lakers plan for the future.
Ultimately, whether LeBron decides to retire after the 2024-25 season or continues for a few more years remains to be seen. However, the factors Williams mentioned, combined with the Lakers’ current efforts to secure a stable future, suggest that the end of LeBron’s legendary career might be approaching.
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