We could be seeing the last of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James as a member of USA Basketball.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer said that this year’s Paris Olympics could very well be his last hurrah as a national team member and is ruling out a return when Hollywood takes its turn to host the quadrennial multi-sport showcase in 2028.
“I won’t be there,” James said as relayed to Today’s Craig Melvin. Drew Weisholtz wrote the story on Melvin’s behalf.
The six-foot-nine forward, who will turn 40 this December, hinted that by 2028, he should have already been retired from basketball.
“I’m getting the hell out of that city when the Olympics come to Los Angeles,” James, who recently signed a two-year deal to stay with the Lakers, said in jest.
However, that could also mean the future Hall of Famer might miss out on seeing himself playing alongside his younger son, Bryce.
The Lakers recently drafted James’ older son Bronny to team up with him as they are set to become the first-ever father-and-son tandem in NBA history. With the way he has been playing lately despite his old age, many are thinking LeBron James might still find himself playing alongside Bryce, who will only become eligible to join the draft by 2026, the year the patriarch’s current contract will end.
Of course, LeBron can re-sign once more and hope that the Lakers get to pick Bryce so they can become a trio with Bronny.
LeBron James bares Olympic wishlist
LeBron James won two gold medals and one bronze during a three-edition Olympic run from 2004–2012. He is making a return to USA Basketball’s men’s Olympic squad after missing the 2016 and 2021 editions.
However, when Melvin asked him if he could choose another sport to play for in the Olympics, James had a quick reply.
“I would — man, the four-by-[100-meter] relay, man — track and field,” the basketball superstar said.
James added that he would want to take on the anchor role in Team USA’s relay squad, saying that he wants “to finish it off the right way.”
The anchor is the last designated runner for the relay squad, and oftentimes, the quartet’s fastest guy or girl takes that role.
On why he returned to the Olympics after 12 years, James said that the timing was just right, even as he wants to give back to USA Basketball.
James is one of the headliners of Team USA’s current “Redeem Team,” as they want to get back to the top after once again missing the FIBA Basketball World Cup podium last year in Pasay, Philippines.
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