The 39-ish Lebron James is still on his quest for a final hurrah with the Los Angeles Lakers. James, who will turn 40 on December 30th, remains focused on achieving his goal. The power forward is consistent with his numbers, enabling him to reach the team’s target in his 22nd season with the NBA. But fans ask: “Is LeBron James in the Final Stage of his NBA Career?”
LeBron James NBA Career Coming to a Close?
James proved he could still deliver after the USA basketball team garnered the gold medal in the recent Olympics. The achievement highlighted Lebron’s capability to lead the Lakers into the playoff rounds. He is the 2024 Basketball Olympics Most Valuable Player (MVP). His performance showed that he is the man to beat. The Olympian has the stats record below delivered in the 2024 games in Paris:
Games played: 5
Minutes per game: 22.8
Points per game: 14.2
Rebounds per game: 7.0
Assists per game: 8.6
Steals per game: 1.2
Blocks per Game: 0.2
Turnovers: 3.8
Field goal percentage: 67.4%
3-point percentage: 27.3%
Free Throw percentage: 71.4%
James Petrifying NBA Career Depicts His Strength to Lead the LA Lakers
James averaged 25.7 points per game. In his 2023-2024 season with the league, he played 71 games and reached 40,000 career points. His current points is 40,474. Lebron is 54 percent in FG shooting, 41 percent from beyond the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line. He is fourth in dimes at 11,009 in assists.
The Olympic gold medalist has a total of 1,492 career games played. Adding to his accolades are 2,410 points from long-range (eighth in the league) with 2,275 steals (also eighth). He appeared in 20 All-Star selections as the youngest and oldest hoopster in the All-NBA unit. James is the oldest active player; he contributed 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 dimes per game last season.
One Late Offseason Adjustment for the Los Angeles Lakers
As the front-runner of the Lakers, Lebron has to contend with his team. Analysts saw the Lakers’ capability with players in top health and condition. However, if issues arise concerning these parameters, the predicament could cripple the team’s thrust for glory. The adjustment could lift the Lakers into a formidable protagonist this season.
Analysts have the Lakers in sight for a possible landing arena for free agent Cedi Osman. The small forward can deliver shot-making essentials as a wingman at a low-risk expense on a minimum deal. Osman played alongside James with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017-2018 in his rookie season.
Osman has career averages of 9.3 points, 3.0 boards, 2.0 dimes, and 1.5 three-point FGs achieved in 22.7 minutes per game. These figures equal 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 FGs from deep made per 36 minutes.
The Cavaliers Small Forward made 38.9 percent from the three-point territory last season. In addition, Osman is a career 35.7 percent shooter from deep and could very well play a wingman for the team. Austin Reeves and D’Angelo Russell are existing wingmen for the team, a spare could be available in case of injuries.
Yes, James is in the final stages of his career and needs all the help he can get from his team. Osman can enhance the Lakers’ need for an essential wingman.
Main Image: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
