26 May 2023 , 16:43
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LeBron James is set to continue his career in the NBA and will return for his 21st season.
That's according to ESPN, who claim that sources have told them James' potential retirement could be a 'nonissue' with a source close to James admitting that he will return for his 21st season - potentially his last with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, The Athletic have reported that James could undergo surgery on a torn tendon in his foot - that would only sideline him for two months in better news than first feared. After the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs earlier this week, being swept by the Denver Nuggets, James shocked reporters when he refused to rule out of retirement
James would have walked away from as much as $100 million had he retired, with many believing it to be extremely unlikely for him to do so while he remains at the top of his game.
The four-time champion has made his intentions clear that he'd like to play with his eldest son, Bronny James, who becomes draft eligible next summer - after choosing to play for USC this season.
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And while James could be set to remain with the Lakers next season, it looks to be a huge off-season pending for the organisation with big decisions to be made to put the necessary pieces around James. Speaking earlier this week, general manager Rob Pelinka stated that he hopes to keep the core of the team together.
James remains at the top of his game, and will hope to see the Lakers front office improve the roster heading into next seasonHe said: "I would say this resoundingly clear: Our intentions are to keep our core of young guys together." That could mean that they indeed send offers to their starting guards Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell - both who are set to become free agents.
After an incredibly impressive second half, Reaves had proven to be the third star on the team between James and Anthony Davis - being a go-to scorer and having countless big nights to help the Lakers get back on track. The Lakers had been severely impressed by Reaves, but it might be too costly to see him return to the team - especially if they are to please James.
The 38-year-old had been very vocal about his want to bring Kyrie Irving to the team, who he had played with for three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers - winning an NBA Championship in 2016. Irving is set to become a free agent this off-season after a rough stint alongside Luka Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks, with the Lakers able to create enough cap space to bring him in - put unlikely to do so with Reaves.