Countdown to retirement! James executes player options, or ends his career at the age of 41

The Lakers have been deeply involved in trading scandals among players such as Rivers and Hachimura, but they did not expect that the team's first exact news came from James. It is reported that James has decided to implement his $52.6 million player option next season, and did not jump out of the contract and sign again for two years as the outside world said.

James is as stable as ever this season, and his personal data is still at the level of the league's first-tier stars. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1 steal per game in the regular season, and averaged 25.4 points, 9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in the playoffs. In the fifth game against the Timberwolves in the playoffs, James sprained his left collateral ligament and only resumed training so far, which is one of the few injuries in James' career.

James' positioning in the new season is also relatively clear, that is, to continue to assist Doncic in the championship trophy, of course, this is also James' last chance to win the fifth championship in his own career. However, it is very difficult for the Lakers to win the championship by relying solely on James and Doncic. The management must optimize and strengthen the existing lineup. After the Lakers traded Davis, the inside defense was useless, so Perinka must quickly strengthen the powerful frame protection No. 5 position.

Although James, who is 40 years old this year, is still a league appearance, it is undeniable that the game is still different from his peak. This summer, James himself also expressed his retirement ideas in a seemingly way. Now that James has chosen to execute the player option for next season, it is basically certain that he will choose to retire next summer. In fact, as the largest player in the active league, James has turned 41 in December this year.