In the aftermath of another brilliant performance from LeBron James, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell projected how long it might be before “the King” steps down from his throne. Shockingly, Russell says we could see James do this for several more years, maybe into his 25th season and beyond.
“You try to compare how high he jumps when he first got to the league til now,” said Russell to Michael Corvo. “It’s a little drop but he’s still jumping over dudes…still got some years under his belt. You’re seeing Year 21. Might be seeing Year 25.”
James is doing unprecedented things in his 21st season. Against the Clippers on Wednesday, James led an amazing fourth-quarter comeback to seal the win down the stretch of the game. Through 53 games overall, he’s averaging 25.3 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game on 52.5% shooting.
In his 21st season, James is putting up some of his best numbers on the best efficiency and he’s been the hero of the team all season long as guys have been in and out of the lineup. Sadly, for the Lakers, it hasn’t translated into many wins.
At 33-28 on the season, the Purple and Gold rank 9th in the West, behind teams like the Mavericks, Kings, Suns, and Pelicans. Currently, they are still 2.5 games back from the 6th seed and face a real chance of being knocked out in the play-in tournament.
While this is hardly the season that LeBron and the Lakers were hoping for, James’ continued excellence is proof that they can still compete for the foreseeable future and they could emerge as one of the title favorites with a few more tweaks to the roster.
What’s Next For LeBron James This Summer?
As an impending free agency in July, LeBron James will have full control over his destiny. After 21 seasons, he’s more than earned the right to retire on his terms but he doesn’t have to walk away just yet. In fact, even in his current form, LeBron is one of the best players in basketball right now and he’d help any team in the league win a championship.
The choice ultimately falls on LeBron and we know he wants to follow his son, wherever he lands. Assuming he makes it to the NBA this summer, James will be able to follow whichever team picks him up and that will set the stage for whatever happens next.
If LeBon does return to the Lakers, there will no doubt be a massive push to make some moves and upgrade the roster before it’s too late. LeBron already tried to get the Lakers to trade for Kyrie Irving, and then for Dejounte Murray, but both pursuits failed to generate any kind of traction.
For now, LeBron’s only option is to wait this out and re-evaluate his position in the summer when he will know more about his son’s career path. But with the way that he’s going right now, there’s no reason why LeBron has to call it quits anytime soon.
He can go until he’s 45 or more if he’s playing like this and as long as he is healthy, it gives the Lakers an opportunity to make a run in the West. Now, it’s up to Rob Pelink and the front office to make good on LeBron’s greatness and get him the help he deserves on the basketball court.