LeBron James' ex-teammate drops major prediction on Lakers superstar's retirement

LeBron James and the LA Lakers lost at home 101-93 to the OKC Thunder on Friday. The four-time MVP had a rough-shooting night, putting up 12 points behind 5-for-13 shooting, including 0-for-4 from deep. James added eight rebounds and two assists.

After the game, James’ former teammate Kendrick Perkins wrote on X, formerly Twitter:

“It’s looking like this just might be Bron’s last season.”

The ESPN analyst must have seen something in the 20x All-Star’s performance that prompted him to make that claim. The four-time champ didn’t have his best game on Friday and looked gassed late in the fourth quarter. James’ 12 points were his lowest since Oct. 28 when he put up 11 in a 109-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

James has said a few times that the end is near but has been vague about retirement plans. He has taken his time over the past few seasons to decide about returning.

The LA Lakers superstar told Sports Illustrated in 2022 about how playing into his 40s:

“I feel like I could play for quite a while. So it’s all up to the body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even the limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see.”

LeBron James will turn 40 in December, so it remains to be seen if he still feels the same way.

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LeBron James recently said he would not play "until the wheels fall off"

As a soon-to-be 40-year-old veteran playing in his 22nd season, LeBron James is still quite impressive. He already has six triple-doubles this season and routinely plays players much younger than him. Most NBA insiders don't give the LA Lakers a chance to contend for a championship without him.

James had this to say when asked about his future in mid-November after racking up a third straight triple-double:

"I'm not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. I don't know how many years that is. If it's one year or two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night, I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not going to be that guy. I'm not going to be the guy who is disrespecting the game because I just wanted to be out on the floor."

Kendrick Perkins claimed this is LeBron James' last season. It remains to be seen if the NBA's all-time career points leader will make that prediction come true.