As LeBron James faces the crossroads of his illustrious NBA career, speculation is growing about his possible retirement. The odds of the basketball giant hanging up his sneakers after his 20th season is +550 according to BetOnline, which indicates a probability of 15.38%. Conversely, the odds in favor of LeBron returning for another year with the Lakers are at 1,000, reflecting a probability of 90.9%.
What are the odds of LeBron retiring?
The baffling exit from the recent playoffs has thrust the retirement conversation into the spotlight. LeBron’s departure from the Western Conference Finals, after a bitter 4-0 sweep by the Denver Nuggets, left a bitter aftertaste and a hint of uncertainty. “I have a lot to think about,” he told reporters, hinting at the looming tough decision.
“I have a lot to think about to be honest, I’m just getting ahead with basketball.”
-LeBron James pic.twitter.com/LNpKX7nFER
– EmmanuelAcho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 23, 2023
Meanwhile, the odds makers at Best Sportsbook have been creating odds on whether or not LeBron will actually retire. BetOnline has odds of +550 that LeBron will retire, and -1000 that he play another season in the NBA. This means that there is approximately a 91% chance that LeBron will play in the NBA again next season.
LeBron’s comment may have surprised fans, but his consideration of retirement isn’t surprising. His 20 seasons in the NBA have made an impact. Although his flexibility often defies nature, the fact is that James is currently 38 years old, an age at which very few of his contemporaries are still active in the league. The possibility of his departure is not a far-fetched idea.
The dream of playing with Son Bruni is still a reality?
Injuries also befall the basketball legend. Despite meticulous physical grooming that is said to cost up to $1.5 million a year, James struggled against physical fatigue and injuries. A foot injury in late February added to his suffering. Despite all these challenges, he was able to lead the Lakers to the playoffs, proving his resilience and legendary status in the game.
But what about the dream of playing alongside his son Bruni? LeBron has been talking about looking forward to sharing the court with his eldest son. However, recent statements suggest that this dream may be farther from reality than it once was.
Since Bronny is set to play college basketball at USC next season, James has acknowledged that his son’s journey may not align with his own aspirations, and he’s totally fine with it. Thus, he will need to continue playing for at least two more seasons for that dream to come true, a fact that further complicates the retirement equation.
Another factor LeBron will take into consideration is the Lakers roster expectations for next season. Currently, the team consists of LeBron, Anthony Davis, and a few other players with relatively smaller contracts. With so many uncertainties surrounding the team’s make-up, LeBron may need to assess whether another season is physically worth it.
LeBron’s decision will be driven by his craving for championships. Like he said, he’s not playing with anything less than titles. Hence, his decision to retire will come down to whether he believes he can continue to lead the NBA’s ultimate award charge.
While we await his decision, the end of his legendary journey may not be far away.