Latest LeBron Retirement Rumors Extend Lakers’ Title Window

Latest LeBron James Retirement Rumors Extend Lakers' Window as NBA Title Contenderhttps://t.co/USKfHVBrJ2 via @BleacherReport

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2024

If his magical ride came to an end after this campaign, it’d be hard to react in any other way than being thankful we were able to witness the journey.

As for the Lakers, though, losing James would mean losing their status as championship contenders. Sure, they might not considered the favorites, but it’s always easy to argue they have a puncher’s chance in any series because of the James-Anthony Davis connection.

Drop James from that equation, and you’ve just derailed L.A.’s title hopes. That’s why this team has operated (and currently operates) on one of the Association’s most extreme win-right-now timeframes.

To be clear, this latest rumor doesn’t totally change that. Even if James has plans of playing past this season, the Lakers can’t act like this is the case. His game might appear ageless, but Father Time will track him down at some point. L.A. is in no position to take anything for granted.

This does, however, suggest this isn’t an all-or-nothing kind of campaign. Regardless what happens with these season’s Lakers, next season’s club could be pretty darn good, too. And maybe the same will ring true for the following campaign, too.

That’s big. It’s big for JJ Redick, who entered the ultimate pressure cooker by opening his coaching career as the steward of James’ age-40 season. It’s big for the young players on this roster, who could get extra opportunities for learn everything James has to teach. It’s big for Davis, who faced the prospect of being a solitary star after this season.

And it’s objectively awesome for the basketball world, extending the window through which we can watch one of the greatest careers this game has ever seen.

L.A. appeared like a force to be reckoned with during its opening night takedown of a Minnesota Timberwolves team that won 56 games and grabbed the West’s No. 3 seed last season. It turns out, that force may not be going away any time soon.