The 2024/25 NBA season is just by the corner, and with it, potentially, the beginning of the end for LeBron James.
As the Los Angeles Lakers superstar enters his 22nd season in pro basketball, speculation is rampant as to what James’ goals are for the remainder of his career.
The 39-year-old, fresh off leading Team USA to Olympic gold in Paris, will likely have the chance to team up with his son Bronny in Los Angeles this coming season, making them the first-ever father-son duo in the NBA. But is that all LeBron has left to accomplish in a career that has seen him win four MVP awards and become the NBA’s all-time top scorer?
Anthony Davis gets honest about LeBron and the Lakers
Speaking to The Athletic, Anthony Davis — LeBron’s longtime “running mate” in LA — said that The King’s goal is still to win championships “at the end of the day.”
The road there is tough in the cutthroat Western Conference, but one more ring would be LeBron’s fifth — making him one of only 26 NBA players all-time to win at least that many titles.
“The goal at the end of the day is still to win championships. You can’t skip steps,” Davis said.
“The first step is we’re going to hold guys accountable. We’re going to show up to work, and if something goes wrong, we’re gonna hold guys accountable, and then from there, we’ll figure it out.”
The Lakers hired rookie head coach J.J. Redick this summer, and the franchise expects him to run a tight ship with an emphasis on player development.
A team that made the Western Conference Finals in 2023 took a notable step back last season, despite an NBA Cup win in December — and with LeBron, Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell still on the roster, hopes are high that the Lakers can bounce back in 2024/25.
That optimism could bear fruit if Davis has a big season. Already considered one of the frontrunners for Defensive Player of the Year honors, “Brow” is still firmly in his prime at 31 years old, while LeBron averaged 26 points and eight assists per game last season.
