Following Bron James’ admission that his career would finish sooner rather than later, there has been a lot of talk regarding who will take over as the NBA’s face when he retires.
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum told Jared Weiss of The Athletic that he has a route to assume that role.
“It feels like it’s mine to take,” he declared. “It would seem more distinct and obvious if we were to win a title. However, I am aware that I am undoubtedly on that shortlist.”
James said, when asked about his future in Indianapolis during All-Star Weekend, that he has “not that many” years left in him.
“I haven’t calculated the number of seasons I have left. It’s not that many, I know,” James remarked.
James, who is currently the oldest active player in the league at 39 years old, hasn’t made any particularly surprising revelations. Only six players in NBA history have participated in at least 21 seasons, including him.
James will tie Vince Carter’s record of 22 seasons played if he plays out of the bench in 2024–25. The NBA is in a vulnerable situation as a result of his unavoidable retirement.
Since his 2003 draft selection, James has essentially been the focal point of the league. Acknowledged as “The Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated in 2002, he more than fulfilled his promise.
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Perhaps this season won’t be as busy as the previous one, when the team acquired two stars in trade for Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis, and gave a third player a historic paycheck. However, they might need to make a payment in order to keep one of those acquisitions, and they might have to sign yet another historic contract extension.
Oh, and they will also have a championship to celebrate if all goes according to plan.
Although the players are undoubtedly not thinking about the summer just yet, this front office most definitely is, so we’ll be doing the same as we assess this team’s position in free agency and analyse two of the most crucial choices they’ll have to make.
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