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INDIANAPOLIS – Lakers legend LeBron James did not directly address the report that he turned down the opportunity to join Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors during a 15-minute press conference in the hours before the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, but he did declare that he would like to finish his career in Los Angeles.
“I’m a Laker, and I’ve been very happy being a Laker for the last six years, and I hope it stays that way,” said James, about to make a record 20th appearance at the showcase. “I don’t have the answer to how long it will last or what uniform I will wear. Hopefully, it will be with the Lakers. It’s a great organization with so many greats. We’ll see. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it will come. It will come, for sure.”
It remains to be seen how soon the 39-year-old will do so. James has a $51.4 million player option to return to the Lakers next season. He could reject that deal and re-sign in Los Angeles or enter unrestricted free agency.
“I haven’t figured out how many seasons I have left,” James said. “I know there aren’t that many.”
James is also unsure if he’ll want to end his career with a farewell tour or, as he put it, “just with Tim Duncan.” The reason may surprise you when it comes to someone who has been the face of the league for much of its 21 seasons.
“I’m 50-50,” he said. “I’m going to be honest. There are moments where I feel like I owe it to my fans who have been on this journey for over two decades, to be able to give them that moment, where each city is, and they give “You, your flowers or whatever the case may be. That seems great, but on the other hand: I’ve never been that good at accepting praise. It’s a strange feeling for me. “I’ve never really talked about it much.”
“It’s just a strange feeling for me,” he added in a rare moment of vulnerability. “To go to each city, if that’s the case, I’ve seen Michael’s (Jordan’s) tour, I’ve seen Kobe’s (Bryant’s), I’ve seen a lot of guys’ (farewell tour), I just don’t know how I feel.” would feel I don’t know if I would feel good about it. Maybe the only child in me. Don’t know”.
James rested the final game before the All-Star break with peroneal tendinopathy in his left ankle. He has received treatment in recent days and will participate on Sunday, but said: “I won’t play the whole game.”
“I’m trying to strengthen my ankle and feel confident again that I can finish these last 30 games of the season,” said James, whose Lakers (30-26) are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference. “I’ll go out and run with the youngsters for a while, and then I’ll shut it down at some point to give my ankle another chance to rest. I’ll seek more treatment tomorrow and start this week.” because we don’t play until the end of the week. I’ll see how that goes, but the most important thing for me is definitely my health… I’m trying to do what’s best for me and the betterment of my life. the team.”
James hinted at retirement when his Lakers lost to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in last season’s Western Conference finals. He now plans to continue this season with a fourth appearance at the Olympic Games.
“Before the season I told myself that when I committed to being part of the Olympic team, obviously everything depended on my health,” he said. “As things stand now, I’m healthy enough to be on the team and perform at a level that I know I can perform. There’s still time left in the season. Obviously, I don’t know what the future holds for me in terms of postseason.
“(The Olympics) are 11 games, but they’re 5 and a half weeks, and you need more miles on these tires. If I’m committed, like I am, to Team USA, then I’m going to commit my mind . ., body and soul to be there for Team USA, to be there representing our country with the utmost respect.”