Expectation Is, Yes, LeBron James Will Return For Another Season

Not many around the NBA are expecting LeBron James to retire and walk away from more than $50 million. That would be the case even if James weren’t playing at such a high level.

James, 40, just became the first 40-something to make an All-NBA team (he was on the second team, announced Friday). If his next season is anything like the last, he’ll make it again next year as a 41-year-old.

That said, agent Rich Paul raised a few eyebrows when he went on The Rich Eisen Show and said he had “no idea” what James has planned for next NBA season. 

Given that James has a player option on his contract, he can either opt out and retire, opt out and enter free agency, opt out and re-sign another deal with the Lakers, or just opt in and take the $50 million-plus.

Opposing executives and scouts who have spoken to executives believe, to a man, that James will be back with the Lakers.

“Come on, he’s not going anywhere,” one said.

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reported he’s hearing the same.

“The expectation in league circles is LeBron will return for at least one more season (and almost certainly with the Lakers, there is no real traction with the idea he could bolt back to Cleveland or another destination),” Helin wrote. “He not only played at a high level this season, but also he was energized playing with his son, Bronny James, and then found another gear after the Luka Doncic trade.

“The Lakers are just a move or two away from contending and Lebron would love a fifth ring. Plus, with the All-Star Game in Los Angeles this year, this could be a celebration of his career. The Lakers will give him whatever he wants to stay.”

James ended the season with a knee injury, but said on his podcast with Steve Nash that he’s making progress. And he’s getting better by resting it.

“That’s the most challenging thing,” James said. “Even though I can’t do much as far as like lower body stuff, I’m still like in the weight room, still getting in upper body. The one thing I am able to do a little bit is ride like a stationary bike just to kind of keep the blood flowing and things of that nature, keep the flexibility as much as possible in the knee.

“But I’m not a guy that likes to sit around. I have a lot of energy and I hate sitting around, so this has definitely been, almost two weeks after the season, they always tell you to take time off and I’m just not that guy. I’m going crazy right now, for sure.”