‘Until I die’ – LeBron James shares retirement timeline after NBA insider makes Bryce James prediction
Shams Charania speculates LeBron may retire next season but hints Bryce might extend his NBA presence.
Three straight triple doubles for LeBron James but he can’t shake off the retirement talks.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, known for his speed and accuracy on basketball news, recently appeared on the network’s First Take show and shared his prediction on James’ retirement plan.
Reacting to James’ own claim where the four-time NBA champion said he “won’t play till the wheels fall off”, Charania revealed James’ retirement may be coming sooner rather than later.
“My sense is next season could potentially be his last season in the NBA,” Charania told Stephen A. Smith.
“Maybe Bryce James keeps him around an extra year or two. But I do think next season, All-Star game in (Los Angeles), there might be some good momentum there for that.”
Although it seems that James is in complete control of when Father Time decides to call, because the 20-time NBA All-Star is averaging 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists so far this season.
After his historic game against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he became the oldest player to record three straight triple doubles, James shared his own thoughts on his retirement.
“I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest,” James told reporters Wednesday.
“I don’t know how many years that is. If it’s one year or two years, whatever the case may be.
“I said the other night, I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to be the guy who is disrespecting the game because I just wanted to be out on the floor.
“That won’t be me,” he said after the win.
Although following ESPN’s first-take and his own comments, the NBA superstar took to social media and seemingly suggested otherwise.
Taking to his Instagram stories, James posted a highlight reel of himself with the caption “I gotta stay.. till I die.”
Turning 40 next month, the four-time MVP may be motivated to keep playing because his youngest son Bryce still has a chance to play in the league.
Bryce, who is 17, will likely go to college for one year so his eligibility for the draft would be at the earliest in 2026 when his father will be 41.
Last month, James and his oldest son, Bronny, became the first father-son duo to play in the same game together in the NBA.
When previously asked about the prospect of playing with Byrce, James revealed that it is not up to him.
“It’s all up to my body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even a limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see. https://twitter.com/FirstTake/status/1857113837482147907
Recently James added: “That would be pretty cool, [playing with my son] it’s all about my mind and then seeing how my body reacts over these next couple of years.”
With the Lakers 7-4 this season and unbeaten at home, the four-time NBA champion will hope that he can lead the team to a strong season under the leadership of his friend JJ Redick who has impressed so far.
James will hope to record a fourth-straight triple double when the Lakers start their NBA Cup defence on Friday but they will have Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in their way.
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