Chris Paul and LeBron James have been friends for a long time, so the Suns point guard knows a lot about the future Hall of Famer. He also dropped a big announcement on the end of the latter’s career recently, wishing to make everyone agree.
We now know for sure, LeBron James will be a member of the Lakers until at least 2024. The winger ended up accepting his contract extension, he who would have been a free agent without it next summer. His player option for 2024-25 still leaves some uncertainty about that season, but if everything goes according to his wishes, the winger will therefore still be in uniform in three years. Enough to allow him to attend the NBA debut of his son Bronny, which is his avowed goal.
That being said, the question is what the four-time champion’s final campaigns will look like before he retires, now 37. On the one hand, he was phenomenal last year when he was in uniform, averaging over 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. On the other, however, he is showing more and more signs of physical fatigue, having missed 26 games in 2021-22. He notably accumulated sores at the start and end of the year, rarely a good sign.
Chris Paul confident about the end of LeBron’s career
Suddenly, one wonders if LBJ will really be able to shine as much as it currently does, when it will have reached the 40-year mark in 2024-25. That seems unlikely, as his body is going to give out eventually, especially in terms of athletic skills. However, his relatives do not seem to worry too much. Chris Paul, for example, reassured King fans on JJ redick’s podcast:
“Bron ain’t slowing down no time soon, so everybody be cool.” —Chris Paul
Watch the full conversation around LeBron’s longevity from Episode 30 of the show: https://t.co/w96MUhZ7oO pic.twitter.com/snHgZg7yFu
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) August 26, 2022
It will continue to shine. It wouldn’t surprise me because I know how he trains. I know his discipline. All these things that you see, it’s not going away anytime soon. Everyone can stop being afraid. Once you find something that works, you know that even as you get a little older or whatever, it’s not going to change. Bron isn’t about to slow down, as everyone calms down.
Remember that L-Train and CP3 have been friends for almost 20 years, and that the Suns guard is perfectly placed to talk about the quadruple MVP. We can only hope he’s right, because the NBA isn’t the same without No. 6 on the court. However, the Lakers will have to get back in the saddle if their last years on the court are not to be wasted, they who have things to be forgiven for after missing the playoffs.
According to Chris Paul, we can clearly expect LeBron James to let loose again in the years to come. He may be gradually overtaken by time, the Chosen One continues to evolve at an indecent level for a player of his age.