Image Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network

Would LeBron James Take Up Coaching After Retirement? LA Lakers Great Discusses Future Plans

LeBron James is set to enter the 23rd season of his NBA career.

Image Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network

Would it be the end of LeBron James’ era after the Los Angeles Lakers legend decides to hang up his playing boots? Or would it simply be the beginning of a new dawn where we would see him shouldering coaching responsibilities? These have been two big questions among fans and pundits who follow the four-time NBA champion.

There have been rumors that James might be up to something new once he decides to bid adieu to his role as a player. However, the 21-time NBA All-Star has decided to address the talks for once and for all, and it could come off as disappointment among the LeBron Ultras.

We all know that James, 40, is nearing his retirement. There were speculations of James bringing down curtains on his legendary career following the 2024-25 season. However, he opted for his $52.6 million player option with the 17-time champions, putting all the rumors to rest. But that doesn’t mean that the end isn’t near! In fact, recently he sat in an interview with Complex Sports where James revealed that he is preparing himself for his retirement, but it isn’t there yet.

In another interview in China, during his first Nike tour of Asia, the four-time NBA MVP talked about whether he would switch to coaching after his playing career. James gave a definitive reply to it and said that coaching isn’t on his plan. “No! No, no, no, no. No coaching for me, No, no, no. I’ll inspire the game. I love the game. But I don’t have coaching in my future,” James said.

Despite his growing age, the Lakers superstar hasn’t had much of a drop off statistically. However, he did posted the lowest scoring average of his career last season since debut campaign. James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game across 70 appearances for the Gold and Purple brigade. Currently, he is gearing up for the upcoming season, which will get underway for the Lakers on October 21, where they will lock horns with Stephen Curry and Co., the Golden State Warriors.

LeBron James Reveals When Did He Realize He Was Different

Gearing up for his 23rd NBA season, LeBron James also revealed the moment of realization when he understood that he was destined for greatness. Surprisingly, it came at a very young age, years before he joined the NBA, even before high school.

“I mean that I don’t want to say that first year because that first year I just knew that I was a lot faster and bigger, and I don’t want to say stronger yet, cause I was still a little skinny kid then,” said James.

“But like my first year playing organized football ever, we played six games, and I got the MVP that year. I had 18 touchdowns in six games. Like and then right in that fall the basketball season started my first year ever playing organized basketball,” he continued.

“We went 6-0, won a championship. And the only reason my coach still, today, back then, he gave everybody the MVP. Clearly, I was the MVP, but it was dope as hell. But I would say, man, like I don’t know. I don’t know. I think that, I mean, I was out there doing s*** that I just shouldn’t have been doing. So I thought I was pretty special then.”

James is one of the greatest players to have stepped up on the basketball court. Ever since his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04, James has wreaked havoc in the NBA world, and even after over two decades, he continues to prove why they call him ‘King James’ or the ‘GOAT’.

LeBron James

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.