Lakers' LeBron James Strongly Urged to Retire By Former NBA Big Man
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has put together a career that places him on the "GOAT" list to many. At the very least, he's a legitimate contender to the title and the only other name on that list is Michael Jordan.
It is expected that James will make his return for another season in 2025-26. He is still playing at a high level and would have a full season playing with Luka Doncic next year.
He has played in 22 NBA season to this point in his career. Should he play next year, he would officially hold the record for most seasons played in the league. Right now, he is tied with Vince Carter for that record.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks towards the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of the NBA Opening night game at Ball Arena on October 24,...
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks towards the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of the NBA Opening night game at Ball Arena on October 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. More
Photo byWhile James is expected to return for year 23, one former NBA big man does not think he should keep playing.
Read more: NBA Analyst Floats Knicks Theory Regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jason Kidd
During an appearance with Byron Scott on the "Fast Break" podcast, Olden Polynice spoke out with a pointed statement about James. He believes that it's time for the longtime superstar to call it a career.
"The longevity aspect, I think it's getting a little bit too much now," Polynice said. "Because I'm like, dude, what else you want to do? It's time for you (James) to start thinking about retiring. He ain't getting no fifth ring unless he buys one, It ain't happening."
Granted, there is obvious proof that James has started slowing down some. However, he is still putting up impressive numbers and making a massive impact night in and night out.
Read more: Warriors Trade Idea Lands 2-Time All-Star in Massive Offseason Move
Throughout the course of the 2024-25 NBA season, James played in 70 games. He averaged 24.4 points per game to go along with 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal. In addition, he shot 51.3 percent from the floor and knocked down 37.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
Looking ahead to next season, the Lakers will need to make some offseason moves to get back into NBA Finals contention. Los Angeles needs more defense and also needs a legitimate starting center. Rob Pelinka has his work cut out for him.
Polynice may be right that the Lakers aren't a favorite to win a championship, but James is more than capable of continuing to play for another year or two if he chooses to do so. It's an eye-opening take, but it's an opinion that many disagree with.
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
19 minutes ago
- New York Post
Richard Jefferson wears Doris Burke shirt as announcer is thankful for support amid uncertain ESPN future
Doris Burke is receiving a lot of love this weekend. While at Oklahoma City's Devon Park on Friday for the Women's College World Series between Texas Tech and Texas, Richard Jefferson put out an endorsement for his broadcast partner. He joined the SEC Network pregame show dressed in a 'My Favorite Broadcaster is Doris Burke' shirt while being interviewed by Haylie McCleney, Tori Vidales and Alyssa Lang. Advertisement 6 Richard Jefferson wearing a Doris Burke shirt on the SEC pregame show ahead of the Women's College World Series. @SECNetwork/X Jefferson and Burke head the broadcast team for ESPN and ABC's NBA coverage, along with play-by-play voice Mike Breen. Advertisement Prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday between the Pacers and Thunder, The Athletic reported that Burke's spot for next season is 'not guaranteed.' This year marks Burke's second NBA Finals as the lead analyst for ESPN. Jefferson, whom ESPN 'intends' to keep despite being on an expiring contract, per the report, clearly wanted to show that he has Burke's back. Advertisement 6 Burke watches as Jefferson shows off the shirt. @TomasKassahun/X 6 Jefferson points to Burke. @TomasKassahun/X He was also found in the softball crowd sitting next to Burke during Friday's game, and he again made his shirt known. Jefferson held out shirt and pointed to it for the camera, before motioning in her direction. Burke smiled and laughed at her teammate's gesture. Advertisement 6 Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke, and Mike Breen pose before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. NBAE via Getty Images The ex-Nets star is not the only one to come to Burke's defense, with Pacers coach Rick Carlisle also speaking out on Burke's behalf prior to Game 1. 'I saw the things that were leaked yesterday about Doris Burke and I just wanted to say a couple of things. She has changed the game for women in broadcasting,' Carlisle said. 'Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there. It was just so sad to see the reports leaked, really unnecessarily, before such a celebrated event. Doris is a friend. I've asked her many times, when is she getting into coaching, because she has such great knowledge. There are many women who she's paved the way for.' 6 Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speaks to the media after the Pacers defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Burke was promoted to the network's top NBA booth after ESPN parted ways with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. It has been an ever-changing panel, as Burke has been paired with three different co-analysts since joining the group. 6 Doris Burke arrives to the arena before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement Burke joined ESPN Radio's 'Joe & Q' show earlier this week and had an emotional reaction to Carlisle's defense of her work. 'He reached out to me earlier in the day and I just want you guys to consider – I'm going to try not to get emotional here,' Burke said. 'The man is about to coach Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he has absolutely reached the pinnacle of his sport. 'But he took the time to check in on another human being to make sure I was okay. He has always been an enormous supporter of mine. And I just think it speaks to the human being he is. When he walked in that coaches meeting, I always give him a hug, I held him a little bit longer last night.'
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin basketball center adds to his list of NBA workouts
Former Wisconsin basketball center adds to his list of NBA workouts Former Wisconsin Badgers center Steven Crowl is compiling a long list of NBA workouts. Crowl, whose Badgers tenure concluded with an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 loss to BYU in late March, has reportedly worked out with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets over the past few weeks. The 7-foot center's most recent workout came with the Pelicans on Thursday, per The Athletic's Will Guillory. Crowl worked out alongside North Carolina's R.J. Davis, Arkansas' Johnell Davis and Kansas' Hunter Dickinson. Earlier this week, the Hornets worked out former Badger Chucky Hepburn alongside Crowl, per Hornets beat writer Rod Boone. The two spent three seasons in Madison together from 2021-24. Crowl isn't the only former Badger to dip his toes into NBA waters this offseason. Star guard John Blackwell worked out with the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers and Philadelphia 76ers before withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft in late May. The Minnesota native started 141 of his 153 career appearances in five seasons from 2020-25. In those contests, the veteran averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and two assists off a 52.5% shooting rate from the field, 36.3% mark from 3 and 82% clip from the charity stripe. During Wisconsin's 27-10 output this past season, Crowl started all 37 games and logged per-game averages of 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He did so while shooting 54% from the field, a strong 41% from 3 and 82% from the free-throw line. At his size, Crowl's shooting ability is an unquestionable commodity in the NBA. Given modern spacing and skill at the center position, the former Badger's progression as a shooter, especially from the top of the key, headlines his potential professional portfolio. Nonetheless, Crowl's odds of being picked in the 2025 NBA draft or signing with an NBA franchise are slim. The workouts will expose him to some NBA personnel, but his most likely route revolves around a career oversees. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Detroit Pistons To Test Free Agent Waters With Two Elite Centers
Detroit Pistons To Test Free Agent Waters With Two Elite Centers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Pistons have seemingly turned the franchise around after finally making the playoffs this season on the back of All-NBA point guard Cade Cunningham. Advertisement Detroit has its lead guard of the future and plenty of young wings, although shooting and center play could be improved, despite the continual improvement from Jalen Duren. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, the Pistons have been linked to two of the best floor-spacing bigs in the NBA, both of whom will be free agents this summer. Jan 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) dribbles on Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena.© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Pistons to Target Naz Reid and Myles Turner With Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder all set to hit free agency, the Pistons will need to retool their offense around Cunningham this summer, assuming all three players walk. Naz Reid and Myles Turner are both expected to explore their options this summer as they hit free agency. Advertisement Turner is still playing in the postseason for the Indiana Pacers, where he has spent his ten-year career. Indiana is expected to aggressively pursue re-signing him, although the Pistons can offer a similar role and more money, depending on which of their own free agents they prioritize. Reid, on the other hand, might be expecting a bigger role than his current spot on the Minnesota Timberwolves' bench. Both Reid and Turner shot well over 37 percent from deep this season, and both averaged roughly 16 points and six rebounds per game. 'The Pistons are among the teams with interest in Timberwolves big man Reid, league sources say," reported insider Marc Stein. "Detroit is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and, according to sources, is likewise said to hold interest in Indiana's Myles Turner." Both would enjoy a starting spot, with Duren either alongside them or coming off the bench. Meanwhile, Cunningham would be an upgrade over both of their current point guards. Advertisement Check out the All Pistons homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Tennis Star Frances Tiafoe Gives Detroit Pistons Disrespect at French Open Related: Surprise East Team Could Emerge as Potential Trade Suitor For Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
