Following their embarrassing loss to the Denver Nuggets, big changes may be coming to the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James told Bleacher Report that he may not return to the 2023-24 NBA season this fall. While it’s not definite, he’s pondering on it.
“I’m simply not sure if I’ll be back in the fall when the season begins,” James told the outlet. “I have a lot to think about.”
The rumors of James’ possible retirement shocked fans since he has talked numerous times about playing with his son, Bonny, in the NBA. But Bronny won’t be eligible for the NBA draft until 2024.
Bleacher reporter Chris Haynes also predicted that Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell wouldn’t return to the team.
During the #thisleague Uncut podcast, Haynes said, “D’Angelo Russell was a shell of himself in these playoffs. I don’t think we’ll see D’Angelo Russell back with the Lakers. They can use a point guard that can create his own shot, and I think LeBron wants to fade more into the role as a secondary scorer and playmaker.”
There has been much speculation about the Lakers possibly looking at free agent Kyrie Irving, but Irving took to Instagram Live to clear up those rumors.
“I’m a free agent this summer, but I’m in no rush to make a decision,” he said. “The speculation around my name from all of these individuals that get on TV and have these personalities…these platforms. I’m talking about the TV personalities, the sports folk that try to mix sports with politics and lifestyle and s**t like that.”
He continued, “When they speak on my name, and they’re talking about potential teams that I’m going to, can y’all please, I respectfully…I’m asking you, please stop paying attention to that. Like, I am in no rush to make a decision. I know what’s ahead of me for the rest of my career.”
“I’m a free agent this summer, But I am in no rush to make a decision… When they speak on my name talking about potential teams, can y’all please stop paying attention to that”
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Kyrie Irving on recent noise surrounding his name pic.twitter.com/ED8ixESGsM— League Alerts (@LeagueAlerts) May 24, 2023