LeBron James, retirement, and leverage

The concept of retirement seemed a long way off for LeBron James not too long ago, but apparently that is no longer the case. James is reportedly unsure if he will be with the Lakers when the 2023-24 season begins according to reports.

Considering Lebron is 38 years old, this is something the Lakers need to take seriously. James has put a ton of miles on his body over the course of his illustrious career, but up until the Lakers elimination in the 2023 postseason has retirement even ben mentioned as an imminent possibility. There is something else that could be in play.

Leverage.

LeBron is no stranger to the leverage play, especially a public one. There have been many instances of James using leverage to get something that he desires, there is a reason people have referred to him as “LeGM”, as cringe as that is. The Lakers star has two more years on his current contract with the Lakers, including a player-option worth over $50 million for the 2024-25 season should he continue to play.

If James is going to continue his time in Los Angeles he is going to want to be competitive and have a legitimate chance at another championship. Having the retirement rumor come out upon elimination gives the Lakers more than enough time to formulate a plan, to LeBron’s liking of course, to take the next step they were unable to this year. It is just that well timed extra bit of incentive to be proactive in improving their roster and making it truly championship caliber.

Of course there is the reality that James is truly considering retirement and could call it a career. The official retirement of Carmelo Anthony just yesterday may have resonated with James and made him reflect upon his own career and future. If James does indeed retire he will go down as one of, if not the best to ever play the game.