There's seemingly a chance LeBron James isn't done with his NBA career as soon as many anticipated.
So it seems like LeBron James could play out his contract and then some.
According to James’ agent, Rich Paul, James’ time in Philadelphia could ‘energize’ the future Hall of Famer and allow him to play beyond the contract set in place with the Philadelphia 76ers.
This comes as a surprise considering the second year of the contract is a player option. The idea of LeBron playing past the age of 43 is unfathomable. We’ve seen him outlast Father Time and do things that even the great Michael Jordan couldn’t do. This thought that he could keep playing would benefit not only Philadelphia but the NBA as well.
While the NBA is filled with young, promising stars, none hold the weight James does. His impact on the association is something that can't be duplicated. His presence is so powerful he delayed the release of the NBA schedule. Who else could achieve something of that magnitude? The very idea of James on live television shatters numbers no matter the opponent.
Television deals are a huge fuel for the NBA salary cap, and once he leaves, we could see a large drop in ratings. There are plenty of people out there who hate the product as it is and feel the game is too “soft” and leads to high-scoring matchups.
At times this is enjoyable, but at some point the finesse of the game takes a backseat to flashiness. Why do you think they’re trying to crack down on so much flopping that's going on? It’s taking away from the integrity of the game. If James goes into retirement, it would not only bring his fans with him but also those who criticize him. His aura extends beyond the game to the media. If 'The King' vacates his throne, many topics fall to the wayside.
On the other hand, he could force himself to stay in the NBA until his younger son, Bryce James, makes it to the draft. Once that happens, there won’t be a reason for him to stay.
The toll a season takes on the human body will catch up to him at some point. We’ve started to see that happen in recent years. If this move leads to an NBA Championship, I find it hard to believe that he’ll return for a 24th season. It’ll be like beating a dead horse at that point. You’ve left everything you had out there on the floor; what more could you possibly want?
If James makes it past this season, that’s great. But if this is his final dance, let’s enjoy what we’re witnessing, as there may never be another one like The King, LeBron James.
