Should LeBron James Retire After This Season?
At 40 Years Old, NBA Fans Are Starting to Question LeBron James’ Future in the League.
The King’s Decision
He doesn’t owe anything to the game of basketball, but after 22 seasons, 21 All-Star appearances, four MVP awards, and four titles (with three different teams), is this the season (or postseason), NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James decides to retire?
As of this late-April writing, James and the Los Angeles Lakers were on the precipice of elimination in the 2025 NBA playoffs. LA lost three of the first four games to the lower-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in a 3-6 opening-round pairing (Game 5 in LA Wednesday, April 30th).
If the Lakers do not climb out and advance, then Luka Doncic joining forces with LeBron is going to be considered a failed experiment, and the speculation surrounding James’ future only figures to intensify.
James had posted double-doubles in Games 2,3, and 4 of this series, but sloppy play in crucial situations did not help.
James has been remarkably consistent throughout his career, with regular-season averages of 27 points, 7½ rebounds, and 7.4 assists. He’s been on the floor nearly 38 minutes per game and made more than half of his shots. That’s a good way to accumulate more than 42,000 points,
A two-year contract extension signed in July of 2024 includes an option to become a free agent next season.
Here’s a bit of a primer on LeBron James in particular and the 2025 postseason in general…
How Many Rings Has LeBron Won?
Four, as in 2012 and ‘13 with the Miami Heat, 2016 with the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, and 2020 in the ‘bubble’ with the Los Angeles Lakers. James’ teams made the NBA Finals eight consecutive seasons (2011-18 inclusive). It’s no surprise he was Finals MVP each season his team won the title.
What Are Five Interesting Facts About LeBron James?
There are a number of interesting facts associated with LeBron James, these five included…
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As the first overall selection in 2003, he was among the last class of high school players going directly to the NBA (the final class was 2005).
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James is one of only four players (Danny Green, Robert Horry, and John Salley) to win titles with three different teams.
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Beginning in high school and through his NBA games (and Olympic) career, James has worn uniform Nos. 6,9,23 and 32.
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James is estimated to incur a physical training cost of $1.5 million per year.
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James and his son Bronny played with the Lakers this past season, joining a rare fraternity which includes NHL’s Gordie Howe (sons Mark and Marty) and MLB’s Ken and Ken Jr. Griffey.
Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on NBA Teams’ Championship Betting Odds?
Indeed. There are individual NBA tonight game and series odds, along with additional props available around individual games and the length of each series. There’s also a board associated with the biggest individual postseason award, the MVP award, honoring Bill Russell.
Odds are fluid right through the playoffs, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, defending-champion Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers the only teams under double figures to win the title and lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy. That’s not surprising, as they led the NBA standings all season long,
Cleveland was the only team to advance as this story went to print, having eviscerated the Miami Heat four non-competitive games in a row.
It’s the job of the bettor to keep an eye on the NBA scores to try and find any advantage.
Any Final Thoughts?
Anyone who pays even marginal attention to pro basketball is acutely aware of the NBA playoffs. There are spectacular games on the NBA schedule and exciting chances to make some money. Continuing to invoke the phrase ‘do your homework’ because it’s essential if you’re going to gain any advantage against the NBA championship odds.
