LeBron James Rumors: Lakers 'Strongly Prefer' That Legendary Forward Retire in LA

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The Los Angeles Lakers "strongly prefer" that superstar LeBron James retires in the purple and gold someday.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that news on James, an impending free agent who recently told reporters that he hadn't made a decision on whether to pick up his 2024-25 option to remain with Los Angeles.

"His statement to reporters regarding his contract is the only part that truly matters when it comes to the power dynamics in play here. Team sources say the Lakers would strongly prefer that James retire in their jersey someday, meaning he holds all the cards until his contract situation gets figured out. The Lakers' top decision makers have no illusions about that much."

James and the Lakers currently sit 27-25, ninth in the Western Conference. It's been a tough year for a team that entered this year with great expectations after a run to the Western Conference Finals, but L.A. has fared well of late with three straight wins, including a victory over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics.

James has been sending some unique messages of late, perhaps none more than this hourglass on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Last Sunday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on SportsCenter that "we're about an '8' on the 'LeBron Passive Aggressive Trade Deadline' time scale."

James, who paid a visit to New York last Saturday for the Lakers' 113-105 win over the Knicks, was also notably been wearing a Knicks towel at the game.

As for why James did that, Windhorst had a theory.

"Of course, he was cognizant and aware that he was putting on a towel that said New York Knicks. Why would he mess with the Knicks? Because he was using the Knicks as a tool to pressure the Lakers," Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective (4:00 mark).

James told reporters that he's "had that thought in my career" in response to a question if he's ever considered joining the Knicks.

We'll soon find out if the Lakers make any moves that appease James with the deadline just two days away. Regardless, the conclusion to this season could, in theory, play a big role in what James ultimately decides regarding his future with the Lakers after the 2023-24 campaign ends.