With $97 million still on the table over the next two years, many experts are skeptical that LeBron James would easily walk away from such a massive sum and retire. After the Lakers’ crushing 4-0 defeat by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, LeBron dropped a bombshell by stating he “needs to think a lot about whether to continue playing or not.”

This revelation has split the basketball world into two camps. Some believe LeBron is genuinely contemplating retirement, while others see it as a strategic play to put pressure on the LA Lakers’ management to strengthen their roster. However, most experts are unconvinced, viewing LeBron’s comments as more of a tactical move rather than a true intention to retire.

Many reputable journalists and NBA experts do not believe that LeBron James wants to retire.

Writer Dan Woike of the prestigious newspaper The Los Angeles Times said:

“No one in my network has mentioned LeBron James retiring. The biggest reason that people close to the Lakers have shared is that LeBron is quite tired after a season of ups and downs, feeling frustrated after being swept 4-0. 

This can be seen as a warning bell that LeBron wants to send to the Los Angeles Lakers leadership that the door to competing for the championship is closing. They need to act soon to maintain and improve the quality of the squad.

Is LeBron James tired of losing or is he sending a warning to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Several other prominent journalists have shared similar sentiments. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote that LeBron’s retirement is unlikely, and that James will even continue to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Sources close to LeBron James believe he will definitely play his 21st season, completing at least one year of his $97 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN reported.

The question is not whether LeBron will retire or not, but what the Los Angeles Lakers will do in the transfer market, especially with the main PG position next to the superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

ESPN believes that LeBron’s actions are a call to the Los Angeles Lakers leadership to make the right moves in the transfer market.

Yahoo Sports added: “There is no reason for James to retire when his $97 million contract extension has not yet started (a two-year term, starting in the 2023-24 season).”

After his 20th season in the NBA, LeBron James has conquered every achievement that an NBA player can have. From MVP, Finals MVP to All-Star, All-NBA and championship rings, the “king” has collected them all.

Climbing to No. 1 on the all-time scoring list, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s seemingly unbreakable record, is the latest milestone LeBron has achieved this past season.

The moment LeBron James celebrated becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer