NBA agent Rich Paul recently opened up about a conversation he’s had with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James about his final years in the NBA.
Paul explained that he has urged his client to spend the last seasons of his career “creating moments and memories” for the younger players that he’s playing with. Paul clearly wants James to pay things forward after the game of basketball has done so much for the four-time champion.
“I think that in LeBron’s case, however many more years he has to play – and we have had this conversation – I think it’s always important for when the game has given you so much, I think it’s so important for you to spend these years creating moments and memories for young players in your locker room, sharing that locker room with you,” Paul said.
“Give them everything. Give them everything you have because you don’t know how much longer you gonna be in those locker rooms. You’re not going to get that back, which is why I felt like when I went to the [San Antonio] Spurs facility and their legacy players had lockers, that means a lot. That is a culture thing. That’s a building block type of thing, foundational thing.”
James is in his 23rd season in the NBA, and he’s seen a lot during his career. The Lakers star is not only the league’s all-time leading scorer, but he’s won NBA titles with all three of the franchises that he’s played with in his career.
Paul certainly wants the 41-year-old forward to make the most of his remaining time in the league, but he also seems to want James to make an impact on his teammates while he does it.
James is an amazing leader, as he’s taken a team to the NBA Finals 10 different times in his storied career.
This season, James is in a bit of a new situation, as he’s playing alongside superstar Luka Doncic, who may be the best player on the Lakers – even though James is still on the roster.
Still, the 21-time All-Star is having a strong season while being on the other side of 40. He’s averaging 21.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from 3.
James recently had a big game in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
In the last two seasons, James has gotten to play alongside his son Bronny with the Lakers. Hopefully, the four-time NBA Finals MVP will make more memories and impact more young players as he closes out his NBA career – although it’s unclear just when that will be.