After the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, LeBron James was asked how much longer he will play in the league. He said he doesn’t know and that he would have to discuss the matter with his family.
Many expect him back for next season. He has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, and he can either opt in to it, or he can opt out in order to sign a slightly longer deal if he feels there is any chance he will want to stick around past next year.
But former NBA point guard Jeff Teague feels James is on his way out. He said during an episode of the “Club 520” podcast that he thinks the superstar has already given an indication that he’s ready to call it quits.
“He kind of giving hints off that he tired of playing,” Teague said. “… He’s saying [expletive] like, ‘I’m passing it off to the next generation.'”
The Lakers obviously have a championship-caliber core with James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. If they manage to add to that core and field a championship-caliber eight or nine-man rotation, it could very well rekindle James’ competitive fuel and his desire to win a fifth ring.
He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range this season. While he reportedly sprained his MCL in L.A.’s final playoff game, he seems to have plenty left in the tank, especially with Doncic taking lots of pressure off him.
