After his twentieth All-Star Game appearance, LeBron James emphasized on Sunday his dedication to continuing his NBA journey with the Los Angeles Lakers and pursuing participation in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Speaking at a press conference in Indianapolis before stepping onto the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where he set a record for the most All-Star appearances, the 39-year-old ‘King James’ pondered his future.
“I haven’t tallied up how many seasons I have left. I know they aren’t numerous,” stated James, maintaining his stellar performance in his 21st NBA season.
“I’m a Laker, and I’ve been exceptionally content as a Laker for the past six years, and I hope it stays that way,” he affirmed.
“However, I don’t have the answer to how long it will be or which jersey I’ll be wearing. (…) I hope it’s with the Lakers. It’s a fantastic organization with a history of many great players,” noted the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
James holds an option in his Lakers contract to become a free agent at the end of the current season. Teams like the Warriors and the Sixers expressed interest in negotiating his signing in the recently concluded market.
The basketball icon is also undecided about whether he will announce his retirement in advance to have a farewell season, a tradition followed by legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
“I’m 50-50,” he said about that prospect. “There are times when I feel I owe it to my fans, who have been with me on this journey for over two decades.”
“But on the flip side, I’ve never been very comfortable with receiving accolades. It’s a peculiar feeling for me,” he admitted. “I’ve witnessed Michael’s and Kobe’s. I’ve seen many guys. I don’t know if I would feel entirely comfortable with that.”
While uncertainty surrounds his future with the Lakers, LeBron James does have a clear goal: competing for the United States in the Paris Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11. His participation is contingent on maintaining his current level of health.
“I told myself at the beginning of the season, when I committed to joining the Olympic team, that it all hinged on my health,” he recalled. “Right now, I’m healthy enough to be on the team and perform at the level I know I can.”
James, currently dealing with an issue in his left ankle that led to his absence in the Lakers’ last game before the All-Star break, anticipates limited playing time on the court this Sunday.