LeBron James’ High School Friends Refute Retirement Rumors of Lakers Star

• LeBron James' high school friends don't think the Los Angeles Lakers star is retiring
• James hinted at retirement after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs
• The 38-year-old just concluded his 20th season, which was hugely successful

LeBron James hinted at retirement shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the 2023 NBA playoffs in the Western Conference finals.

But his high school friends feel the four-time NBA champion still has unfinished business in the NBA.

The four-time MVP made the jaw-dropping statement after scoring 40 points in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets.

His statement was puzzling since he still has one season remaining on his contract with the Lakers for 2023/24, worth $46.7 million, and a player option for the 2024/25 season worth $50.4 million, per the Athletic.

The 38-year-old averaged 27.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in the 2023 playoffs. He led the Lakers from the 7th seed to the conference finals while still nursing an ankle injury.

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He also averaged 28.9 points in the regular season.

James' friends on his retirement

James' high school friends, Akron natives Dru Joyce II, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton, and Romeo Travis, played with James at St. Vincent - St. Mary High, and they're still close to this day.

The group's high school years in Akron, Ohio, playing basketball and navigating James' fame, are depicted in the 2023 film Shooting Stars.

In an exclusive interview with People, Travis said James still has work to do.

"I feel like he still has work to do, with his mentality and all that, his work isn't done."

McGee, 38, is not buying it.

"I don't believe it. I think that was a hard loss and I think he left everything out there."

Cotton echoed McGee's comments.

"I felt that bar he dropped by Jay-Z though. I felt him on that, but I don’t believe he's retiring. Not yet."

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Why James may not retire

Sports Brief earlier reported on why James may not retire from the NBA.

Retiring now does not make financial sense to James, since he signed a two-year $97 million deal last summer. He also said he is looking forward to playing with his son in the league.

Moreover, winning a fifth ring would be the icing on the cake, as he has nothing else to prove in his career.