Former NBA guard Jeff Teague suggested that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James should retire following the 2024-25 season.
“LeBron needs to rest a little bit,” Teague said in response to James aiming to play 82 games. “Age is actually catching up with [James]. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it, like that he’s really kind of slowing down, and to me — I’m not going to lie — I think he might retire after this year.”
LeBron James is currently in his 22nd NBA season and is averaging 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game all while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three.
Could LeBron James Retire After This Season?
Despite nearly a triple-double average, the 39-year-old forward has shown signs of regression. His 22 points per game is the lowest since his rookie year (20.9), and his 48.2 clip from the field is his worst shooting efficiency in 18 years. Additionally, over his last six games, the King has completely fallen out of character, averaging only 16.8 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting.
It’s obvious that James has been struggling lately, but his impact goes far beyond just scoring. In what is considered a rough patch, the four-time MVP is still bringing down 7.5 rebounds and dishing out 8.7 assists in a stretch where the Lakers have gone 2-4 and have dropped to 12-9 on the year.
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The season still remains young and LeBron James could very well bounce back to the All-NBA level that we have been accustomed to, but it would come down to resting and monitoring the nearly 40-year-old’s body. As much as a competitor James has been throughout his career, fulfilling his goal to play 82 games for a second time might not be plausible anymore.
The four-time NBA champion has accomplished everything the sport of basketball has to offer. His name is sprinkled all across the history books and he has nothing left to prove.
Whether or not James decides to hang it up, his legacy, domination, and longevity will forever be immortalized.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick also chimed in on LeBron’s 82-game goal.
“I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick said after James’ 10-point outing (h/t Dave McMenamin of ESPN).
It’ll be interesting to monitor how Redick and the Lakers manage James for the rest of the season. Until then, the next look we will have on James is Wednesday against his former team, the Miami Heat, where he will look to end his six-game slump.