LeBron James could retire from the NBA as early as next season, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. The reporter made the claim live with Stephen A. Smith when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of winning this season’s NBA title.

James, currently in his 22nd season of NBA basketball, has helped the Lakes to a positive start and a 7-4 record after 11 games. However, the LA team has gotten as much if not more attention due to the presence of James’ son Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers and became the first son of an NBA player to play with his father in a game.

LeBron turns 40 years old at the end of this season, but Charania believes that the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat icon has one more campaign left in him before hanging up his jersey for good. If James does retire at that point, he will be 41 years old and finish with 23 professional seasons.

The Lakers, when they’re not being accused of nepotism by NBA observers, have put together a roster that Charania believes could compete for a championship this season. With Anthony Davis acting as the centerpiece, new head coach J.J. Redick has instituted a system that seems to take advantage of the strengths of his superstars while carving out opportunities for role players as well.

The move to hire Redick has seemingly paid off for James, who is averaging the highest three-pointer shooting percentage of his career (.459) as well as the highest free throw percentage (.789). While his usage is not as high as it was earlier in his career, James still plays about 35 minutes per game and is currently averaging the second-most assists per game of his entire career.

Davis, meanwhile, is leading the team in points per game and rebounds per game while also staying relatively healthy after a number of injury setbacks over the years. Davis currently averages a touch under 35 minutes per game and has been praised as a potential MVP candidate by James.

Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Davis and James are currently on the hunt for their second NBA championship as teammates, having won the 2020 title in the bubble after that year’s NBA season was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Another title would give James five total championships, and would make him the first player in NBA history to win that number of titles across three different teams.

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