Former NBA guard Jeff Teague thinks that the 2024-25 season could be the final one of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James’ career.
“LeBron need to rest a little bit, bro,” Teague said of James wanting to play all 82 games this season. “Age is actually catchin’ up with Bron. It’s the first time I ever seen it, like that he’s really kinda slowin’ down, and to me – I ain’t gon’ lie – I think he might retire after this year.”
Teague also expressed hesitancy on the idea that the Lakers star would want a farewell tour.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I think he wanna do it differently. I think he probably got a documentary goin’ right now, and they probably recordin’ everything he doin’.”
He continued.
“I can’t see LeBron havin’ a year where he just not still like top 20 in the league,” he said. “And you could see it slowly declinin’ right now.”
There’s no doubt that James, 39, is going through a little bit of a rough patch in the 2024-25 season. Over his last six games, James is averaging just 16.8 points per game while shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 10.0 percent from 3. He’s still contributing in other areas, as the four-time champion is averaging 7.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per contest over that six-game stretch.
However, James’ shooting has taken a step back this season overall. He’s shooting just 34.5 percent from beyond the arc after shooting a career-high 41.0 percent from 3 last season. In addition to that, the Lakers star is averaging just 22.0 points per game – his fewest points per game since his rookie season.
While James’ scoring is down, he still is averaging 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game this season, and he had a stretch in November where he recorded four straight triple-doubles.
The 20-time All-Star certainly still has the ability to play at an elite level, it just may be harder for him to do it night in and night out.
Recently, Lakers head coach J.J. Redick said it may not be in the best interest of James and the Lakers for the superstar to try to play in all 82 games during the regular season.
JJ Redick on LeBron playing all 82 games: "I don't know if it's in the best interest of him and us if he does that."
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 3, 2024
Despite James’ recent struggles, the Lakers are still 12-9 through their first 21 games this season, a decent mark. They currently hold the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday night’s matchup with the Miami Heat.
James will look to get out of his shooting slump when he faces one of his former teams at Kaseya Center in Miami.
