A well-known reporter broke the news that next season is likely to be James' last season, with a salary of $52.6 million

Well-known sports journalist Shams said on a TV show today that James is likely to exercise a player option worth $52.6 million next season.

This means that next season will most likely be James' last. Although this is Shams' speculation, it has to make us chuckle in our hearts. Is James' final season coming after all?

Shams had this to say: "I was told that he was likely to exercise the player option, and that was what was likely to happen and that was his plan. But the deadline for him to execute his option is June 29, so he still has a month to figure out what to do. There will be some tough conversations between him and the Lakers to see how this team goes. Because whether LeBron plays another season or more, he wants to be in a competitive environment. ”

"I said on the show at the end of the season that he's probably going to have a contract option because it's a huge value and it gives you the flexibility to figure out if he's going to renew his contract on that basis or if it's the last season of his career?"

"Actually, this will be the 23rd season of the 23rd, and Los Angeles will also have an All-Star Weekend. In my opinion, this will be a storybook-like ending. But it will be a big decision he will need to make. However, the Lakers' number one goal this offseason is to find a center and strengthen the players on the wing. ”

According to NBA rules, James needs to decide whether to exercise the player option by the June 29 deadline. If James executes, there is a high probability that next season will be a farewell tour. If James doesn't execute and chooses to sign a 1+1 contract, then he will play for another two years, and wait for his youngest son to enter the NBA next year, realizing the scene of father and son competing on the same stage.

Everything depends on James's heart. James has said in front of the media more than once that he will not wait until his tires are smoothed before choosing to retire, and will only choose to quit this stage when he is unable to do so.

James has just been named to the All-Second Team this season, and his all-time record of 21 consecutive seasons All-Star selection has been unbreakable. Only six players in history have played 21 seasons, let alone been named to the All-Star team every season.

With a salary of $52.6 million, the 41-year-old James is still worth it.

Sometimes, the hearts of fans are very conflicted, hoping that James has the ability to win the championship, but they can't bear to see him play so tired. Although it is difficult to accept in my heart that this is James's last season, if he figures it out on his own, we will support any decision. It's just that I can't imagine what the scene will be on the day Lao Zhan retires.

If it's really the last season, then the Lakers shouldn't hide it, and let it go out to equip Lao Zhan with a championship-winning lineup.

"James was with the Lakers for seven years and came back at the lowest point of the Lakers, when they weren't at all competitive for a championship," Shams said. Now that you have him, you've got to do the right thing, you've got to build a championship squad around him, to give him a say in decision-making, and to think about a future star like Doncic, how do you deal with that? This is a huge challenge that they will face. ”

The actions of the Lakers management in recent years have puzzled some former Lakers players. Pope recently said on Howard's show that the Lakers could have won more championships if management hadn't made significant changes to the roster in the 2020 offseason:

'There were a lot of moments when we were a perfect fit for that team. On and off the pitch, we often go to each other's homes and get together like brothers, and I spend more time with my teammates than with my family. If we had stayed on with the same team, I think we could have won two more championships, and then there would have been no 'GOAT battles' and LeBron would have won his sixth title. ”

Finally, how would you feel if next season was really James' last season?