According to one NBA insider, it looks like LeBron James will continue to call Los Angeles home for the foreseeable future.
On the #thisleague UNCUT podcast, Marc Stein stated that “all signals” point to James returning to the Lakers, a team he has called home since the 2018-19 season.
Even at 39-years-old, the 20-time All-Star has managed to maintain his high level of play. This past season, James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. The four-time NBA champion also shot 54% from the field and 41% from behind the three-point line.
While Stein believes that James will likely return to the Lakers, the four-time MVP has yet to publicly commit to Los Angeles. After the Lakers’ season came to an end, James declined to provide an answer when asked about his future with the franchise.
The interesting thing about this offseason is that James likely won’t just be thinking about his own future.
Bronny James, LeBron’s son, has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. The four-time Finals MVP has stated on multiple occasions that he would like to play on the same team as his son before he retires.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy. I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” LeBron told ESPN in 2023.
“Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him,” he added. “I don’t mean like [guarding one another all game] — because he’s a point guard and I’m a, at this point now I’m playing center or whatever the team needs from me. But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
But recently, LeBron has appeared to change his tone. According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, he no longer prioritizes the ability to play on the same team as his son.
“The idea of them playing together is not a priority,” Wojnarowski said on “NBA Today.” “It’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind.”
Still, it is hard to imagine the future of his son not affecting how LeBron views his future in the NBA.
Having LeBron for another season is always a good thing, but if the Lakers want to help the basketball icon get his fifth championship ring, they will need to bring in some help. Approaching 40-years-old, it is a bad plan to expect him to single-handedly will the team to a championship.