NBA agent Rich Paul was suitably vague when asked about LeBron James’ possible retirement.
Rich Paul and LeBron James built a basketball empire with Klutch Sports. Childhood friends turned business partners have a close working relationship. One has to imagine that Paul has intimate knowledge of James’ mindset when it comes to a potential retirement.
James first brought up the idea of retiring after the Nuggets swept the Lakers out of the Western Conference Finals. Some have speculated that James simply wanted to keep the spotlight on him, rather than the Nuggets. Others thought it was a ploy to pressure the front office into signing Kyrie Irving. Others, of course, took him at his word.
No matter which camp you fall into, the magnitude of the possibility is impossible to ignore. James is the greatest basketball player of his generation, perhaps of all time. At 38 years old, he fell 40-9-9 in the playoffs to the Lakers. He has gas in the tank. The question, for James at least: How much?
Rich Paul has kept his answer about possible LeBron James retiring vague
When asked about the possibility of James retiring, Rich Bull played shyly With Chris Vidor from Cleveland.com.
“I have expectations, as do you,” said Paul. “we will see.”
Of course, Paul won’t reveal LeBron’s plans, but it’s hard to imagine James keeping his decision completely under wraps, especially in the presence of close friends and business partners. As for what Paul supposedly expects, we’ll never know. The general consensus about the league seems to be that James will return for its 21st season.
LeBron may not be the best player in the world, but he made his 19th consecutive All-Star appearance last season while averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists on 50.0 percent shooting. He made the All-NBA Third Team.
James is under contract through at least the 2023-24 season, when he’s set to make $46.9 million. He has a player option worth $50.6 million in 2024-25, theoretically the year his son enters the NBA. Should James retire or withdraw from playing with his son, 2024 seems like the most logical time. That is, unless it really is, simply ready to be hanged.