This becomes a well-known refrain, almost sung at the end of each season: but what will we do? LeBron James ? Eliminated in the first round after the Nuggets' victory in Game 5 on Monday, the “King” Lakers are on vacation even before the start of May. The future of the best scorer in history, who has the possibility of giving up the next year of his contract, was one of the big subjects of the post-match. But true to his position, he did not wish to say more, ensuring that he had not yet thought about it.
“ Honestly, I just want to be with my family » he reacted at a press conference. “ One of my sons (Bronny) is trying to decide whether to enter the draft or return to college. I have another kid playing in high school right now (Bryce). My daughter plays volleyball, and my wife does so many awesome things. So the priority is my family now. »
Two, three more seasons… or even retirement
LeBron James' summer promises to be busy, between his choice for next season and the Paris Olympic Games, with a training camp from July 6 for the American national team. “ After my family, in two months, I have to go to Vegas for camp, so I have to rest my body for Team USA, those are my first concerns. »
LeBron James will have to decide on the rest of his career anyway before meeting up with his comrades on the road to Paris. The winger has a “player option” at $51.4 million in his contract which he can activate by June 29. At present, all options are on the table regarding the activation of this clause or not, assures The Athletic And ESPN. And LeBron James is also not afraid to mention between words the meaning that his next seasons should have, leaving open the possibility of retirement, even if The Athletic believes that he is expected to play “ two more seasons » according to a source close to the player.
“ I feel good, because to be honest, I don't see myself declining, anytime in the near future » he explains. “ But then what do I do? Family time is important too. What else is there to do? I did everything I wanted to do. There's nothing I haven't accomplished in this league that I wanted to accomplish. So after a while you have to hang up. »
Lakers ready to draft Bronny to lure LeBron James?
The Lakers are determined to keep their superstar, still decisive at 39 years old, with 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. Sources close to the Lakers, reported by The Athletic, suggest that the franchise is ready to give everything, up to a lease at a maximum price of $164 million over 3 seasons, which could extend LeBron James' career until 42 years old. Asked if he played his last match with the Lakers, the four-time champion paused before declaring with a mischievous smile “I’m not going to answer that question.” and leave the press conference.
Los Angeles could also be “ very open to the prospect of helping LeBron realize his dream of playing with his son Bronny by drafting him » specifies The Athletic. “ I haven't thought about it much lately » proclaimed James this Monday. “ I've thought about it in the past, but in the end, this kid gets to do what he wants. And I don't want to talk about a child now, this young man will decide what he wants to do and how he wants to develop his career. »
In addition to the Bronny option, and the possible dismissal of coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers plan to be aggressive this summer advances The Athletic, with the track leading to Trae Young as one of the most intriguing, and one of the ” many names that will be mentioned“. Anthony Davis, for his part, assured that he was going to spend his summer trying to convince his teammate, with whom he will compete (barring injury) in the Olympic Games, to return. “ His goal is to win, and I feel like we can do that here » he insisted.
Player option : possibility for a player to activate (or not) the last year of his contract, in order to end his lease or become a “free agent” one year in advance.
