After early playoff exit, LeBron James has ample time to prepare for Paris 2024 Olympics
As the final buzzer sounded on Monday (29 April) evening at Ball Arena following the Denver Nuggets' 108-106 win that knocked the LA Lakers out of the NBA playoffs, speculation regarding the future of LeBron James was rampant.
That chatter hit the stratosphere when James said he is undecided on his plans for next season—and refused to confirm whether or not he had played in his final game for the Lakers.
Speaking in his post-game press conference, James was asked how he would approach his decision about playing in his 22nd season in the league.
"I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought," James said.
"We'll cross that when we need to," James added.
When asked if Monday's game would be his last as a Laker, James responded: "I'm not going to answer that."
What James did make clear, however, is his immediate focus: spending time with his family, and then preparing for USA Basketball's training camp ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
And while this early playoff exit may sting for James and Lakers fans, it could prove to be a blessing for Team USA as they seek a fifth-consecutive Olympic gold medal.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
"I have to rest my body for USA Basketball"
James just completed his 21st season in the league, taking his tally of games played to 1,492—the sixth-most in NBA history and more than 200 ahead of the next active player (Chris Paul: 1,272). Despite his 'advanced' basketball age, James remains one of the elite players in the game, as evidenced by a season in which he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game and another All-Star selection (his 20th).
A big reason for James' longevity is down to the "King's" dedication to his physical health; James reportedly spends $1.5 million a year on his training, recovery and diet. James is smart about his playing time, too: he averaged 35.3 minutes per game this season, the second-fewest minutes he's averaged in his career, and spoke about the need to recover properly for Paris 2024—his fourth Olympic Games.
"In a couple of months I've got to go for [Las] Vegas for training camp, so I got to rest my body for USA Basketball."
That rest could prove invaluable for the USA national team. Though James had committed to represent his country in France well before the playoffs started, a deep postseason run for the Lakers would invariably have meant more wear and tear on the 39-year-old's body—not to mention the added risk of injury.
One need only look at the FIBA World Cup last year, when Nikola Jokic declined to play for Serbia after leading the Nuggets to the NBA Finals and Giannis Antetokounmpo withdrew from the tournament citing medical concerns, to see how an extended season can disuade players from lacing up their sneakers again in the summer.
James himself skipped the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to the franchise's first NBA title.
Hence why James stressed the importance of his health back in February ahead of the NBA All-Star Game.
“It’s more miles put on these tires,” said James. “But if I’m committed — which I am — to Team USA, then I’m going to commit my mind, body and soul to being out there for Team USA, representing our country with the utmost respect and go out there and play.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Lebron James #6 of United States holds his gold medal after defeating Spain in the Men's Basketball gold medal game on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympics Games.
A chat with Grant Hill sparked James' Olympic return
On 7 April 2023, James became the all-time points leader in NBA history after collecting his 38,390th point.
Two days later, USA Basketball men's national team managing director and Olympic gold medallist Grant Hill was in LA for the Lakers' home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Though James wasn't playing due to left ankle soreness, Hill still found him at halftime to deliver a special request.
"So at halftime, as I’m coming out from the back, and he’s on the court, I walked up to him,” Hill told NBC Sports. “I said, ‘Hey man, I need you in Paris.’ It was just kind of in passing, just kind of throw it up there on the wall and see what he says. He was like, ‘I’m in.’ Guys will say things, so you never know are they serious or not.”
But after the USA finished a disappointing fourth at the World Cup last year, Hill found himself in constant communication with the three-time Olympic medallist as they discussed Paris 2024.
“He was in from the first time we spoke last fall.
“So (James) has been invested in this and excited about this, and I think understands and respects what this is and also how incredibly difficult it is,” Hill said. “So his presence and his leadership will serve us well in addition to his play.”
With the men's basketball competition at Paris 2024 scheduled to start on 27 July, James will have close to three months to prepare his mind and body for what must surely be his final hurrah with the national team.
And a well-rested James, even at 39, will be a fearsome prospect for Team USA's challengers this summer.