Life in the NBA without LeBron James would be quite challenging.
Kendrick Perkins expressed on Monday’s “First Take” that if James retires, it would create a significant gap in the league, a gap that couldn’t easily be filled.
“Is the NBA ready for life after LeBron?” Perkins questioned. “Absolutely not. It’s absurd.”
During his segment on ESPN’s morning show, Perkins elaborated on how the league would struggle for a multitude of reasons if James decided to hang up his sneakers after this season.
“Look at his social media—over 200 million followers,” Perkins pointed out. “Can you name another athlete, or even another basketball player, close to that? You can’t.”
Furthermore, he noted that LeBron consistently fills arenas on the road, aside from the one he plays in, and has been doing so for over two decades.
Perkins also mentioned that James has played a significant role in boosting merchandise sales, maintains a commendable off-court reputation, and serves as a positive role model.
At 41, James is in the last year of his contract with the Lakers and continues to perform at a high level, averaging 22 points per game.
However, speculation about his retirement has increased, especially with uncertainties surrounding his future leading up to Sunday’s All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Some are questioning whether he’ll still be around for at least one more season.
“If I have plans, you’ll know them,” James stated regarding his basketball future. “Right now, I just want to enjoy life.”
Should James decide not to extend his contract with the Lakers or choose a different path, Perkins foresees that it would drastically alter the entire NBA landscape.
