Rich Paul Talks LeBron James' NBA Future, Predicts Lakers Star Has '2-3 Years Left'
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVApril 29, 2024
Few people in the basketball world would know how LeBron James is feeling better than Klutch Sports Group CEO and founder Rich Paul, and he opened up about the King during a Monday discussion with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM.
Most notably, Paul, who is also a longtime friend of James' in addition to being an agent, said he believes the Los Angeles Lakers star has "two-to-three years left" in his career.
SiriusXM NBA Radio @SiriusXMNBA"The guy has committed more than half of his life to the game of basketball"<a href="https://twitter.com/KlutchSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KlutchSports</a> Founder & CEO, Rich Paul, discussed LeBron's future when he joined <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFrankIsola?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheFrankIsola</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Scalabrine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Scalabrine</a> 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RichPaul4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichPaul4</a> <a href="https://t.co/AZkLP1gGGf">pic.twitter.com/AZkLP1gGGf</a>
James is 39 years old and playing in the playoffs of his 21st season.
While nobody would mistake this version of the future Hall of Famer with the one who won two championships in the middle of his career with the Miami Heat, he is still one of the best players in the league even at this age.
He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 41 percent from deep in 2023-24. It was the best three-point shooting mark of his career, underscoring how his game has adapted as he ages.
James discussed his own future last month and told reporters, "I'm not gonna play another 21 years, that's for damn sure. But, not very long. I don't know when that door will close as far as when I'll retire, but I don't have much time left."
Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaLeBron James on how long he expects to continue playing in the NBA: "Not very long. … I'm not gonna play another 21 years, that's for damn sure. But not very long. I don't know when that door will close as far as when I'll retire. But I don't have much time left." <a href="https://t.co/OtJzM6cheI">pic.twitter.com/OtJzM6cheI</a>
His future will be a major focal point this offseason considering he has a player option for the 2024-25 campaign and could become a free agent. He could also look to remain in the NBA and perhaps one day play alongside his son, Bronny.
Yet it seems clear that NBA fans should enjoy James while they still can because retirement is at least on the horizon.
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