Amongst the biggest storylines not just with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the entire league, is the future of LeBron James and whether this will be his final season. LeBron is already set to make history by playing in his 23rd NBA season, but his plans beyond this year are unknown.
It is not only a matter of whether he will continue playing beyond the 2025-26 season, but also where, as he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. But with all that hanging over him, James is far more focused on the present, being the best player he can be every night and simply enjoying these final seasons.
“As far as prove, I just think for me personally, just trying to go out there and be the best player I can be every night as far as my game but also just mentally,” James said at Lakers Media Day. “Just staying present and things of that nature. Knowing that the end is soon and not taking for granted a Tuesday night in a city that maybe I don’t want to be in that night. But seriously, let’s lock in because you don’t know how many times you’ll get the opportunity to play the game or to be able to compete. There’s time where you wake up and just feel like you don’t have it. So those will be the days where I know I can lock back in very fast because I know I won’t have many more days like this. Lock in and enjoy the moment, enjoy the rest of the ride. So that’s the exciting thing, understanding how present I will be.”
It is so easy to focus on the future that sometimes people are unable to enjoy what is right in front of them and appreciating LeBron and what he is still able to do at this stage of his career is something everyone should do. The Lakers superstar is one of, if not the best, player the league has ever seen and he won’t be around for much longer.
Of course, the question of whether this will be his final season was asked, but James still isn’t sure whether that will be the case.
“I’m excited about today and I’m excited to get the opportunity to play the game I love for another season,” James said. “However the journey lays out this year, I’m just super invested because I don’t know when the end is, but I know it’s a lot sooner than later. So just being super appreciative of the fact that I can come up here and do another Media Day and talk to you guys and do all the stuff around here. Just excited about the journey and whatever this year has in store for me.”
Just the fact that LeBron is still so excited to continue to play the game of basketball 23 years into his career says a lot about his passion for the game. The Lakers superstar is truly a generational talent and these final moments of his career should be cherished.
Lakers coach JJ Redick says LeBron James in a ‘great spot mentally’ heading into season
There were some questions this offseason about whether LeBron James and the Lakers were on the same page, but head coach JJ Redick has been in contact with the 40-year-old all summer and believes the superstar is in a great place mentally going into this season.
“I talked to LeBron fairly frequently,” Redick said at his recent press conference. “Had two great in-person meetings with him. One, he finally made it out to the Hamptons. So he and I had dinner in Sag Harbor right around free agency. And then was able to spend some time with him here in L.A, a couple weeks ago. Came away from that thinking that he’s in a great spot mentally and know he’s going to give us his absolute best.”
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