How present will LeBron really be in the NBA once he retires?

[Godymas]

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Kobe's everlasting legacy came from the way he affected the next generation through his mentorship and leadership both on and off the court. One of the biggest tragedies to lose him, but he was set to always have a presence molding the future generations and now we will never have it.

LeBron is very different in terms of personality, on the other hand. LeBron is much less serious than Kobe for the most part, he doesn't necessarily push out some villainous hatred and marriage to the game. LeBron is more "one of the guys" when it comes to the way his teams function with him on it. In a lot of ways LeBron acts like a giant kid when he is with his teammates despite being a 40 year old man. You would never hear a story of LeBron punching a teammate or showing up to prove a point in practice. He's more just a player that works hard, and has the best genetics and has accomplished 99.99% of what he could do.

Some players retire and they end up the media. Kobe did not seem to be planning that, but Jordan did spend years in the media and in an NBA FO. He eventually became an owner of a franchise but did not have the same public persona that people really want to pretend he had. Yes, Jordan did have say on the roster and did show up to practices and games. But he was not necessarily involved in NBA media, was not being the face of the franchise, was not on the floor often with the players, etc.

Charles Barkley and Shaq have obviously gone on to have great media careers post retirement and are arguably more famous now than when they were playing.

On the other hand guys like Tim Duncan, Patrick Ewing, Kevin Garnett, etc. go on to mostly stay in their circle and live their lives with light basketball involvement.

So with that said, LeBron is obviously on the way out, but I have a bold prediction for LeBron's end.

LeBron will only retire when the NBA announces expansion and he will do so to become a leader for an investment group with that franchise.

LeBron wants to own an NBA team, he wants to invest, the NBA will reserve a seat for their coveted player to be an owner of a new franchise in Vegas. They will announce it and LeBron will announce his retirement shortly after.

LeBron will be hands off in terms of his involvement in the NBA. One thing about LeBron is he is a bit more selfish in terms of his off the court success. You're part of LeBron's circle. He's the kind of person that keeps a tight knit group as evidenced the by the way Klutch operates, regularly funneling their clients into LeBron's teams. Klutch and LeBron will be the only thing that continues to operate closely between the two. LeBron will be recruiting players to sign with Klutch. LeBron will not be trying to help players into the NBA or doing anything with the future generation in like coaching and mentorship. He will be looking to enhance his business aspects. Do not be surprised if Klutch ends up representing almost everyone that ends up on LeBron's franchise. Is it a conflict of interest? Maybe. Yet Agents and FOs seem to intersect more often than not.

LeBron will hardly be involved in the media. He isn't signing some deal like Tom Brady to commentate. He doesn't have the personality for a desk show BUT ALSO, LeBron will obviously want to maintain and grow his brand with the barbershop show and because of this he will limit himself to exclusively being on that show and will bring someone like Draymond to help grow it.

Again, this is the difference I see with LeBron post retirement. He is not going to give back to the NBA, he is going to continue to grow his own empire with the power the NBA gave him. You could say being a team owner is "giving back" but he will 100% do so for his own interests.

So I think LeBron will not be overly involved in the "good" of the NBA. He won't be giving interviews to the little guys, he won't ever sit and coach a team. Instead LeBron will be the businessman he's always been looking to grow his brand and try and rival Jordan in terms of what Jordan has off the court too.

[HighFlyer23]

This fraud needs to be as distant to the NBA as possible after he finally retires

The amount of damage he's done to the league is indescribable


The game has regressed because of Lebron

[B-Mitch 30]

The game has regressed because of Lebron

Definitely just taking some bait, but in what way has LeBron caused basketball to regress?

[SlimShady83]

Because OP mentioned KOBE, I'm just waiting for One and Done's comment to be In here

[Sealab2024]

Hopefully none. You'd be taking the best part of Bron (his game) out of the equation and making it all about the worst part of Bron (his personality). Ownership would be perfect for him. He can sit court side, wave to the cameras and not be involved on screen any more than necessary.

[mastermixer]

I think he will continue to be very present in retirement.

I think he will for sure become part of an ownership group at some point.

[Bergmaniac]

He will be present rent free in the heads of many posters on this board for many years, that's for sure, like the OP and HighFlyer23.

[baldur]

I don't think someone like him would start growing tomatoes in his backyard.

[Bobbymcgee]

He will be part of the new Las Vegas expansion team's ownership group and ensure that Bronny and Bryce get max contracts with them.

[JustBuzzin]

LeBron will be a owner in Vegas.

He's going to shave his head bald and have the full grey beard. He's legit old man filthy rich CEO status after basketball. No more durags and hair dye keeping up with the cool kids.

[Ito]

Anything from LeGM to analyst.. but he wouldn’t be able to be on TV talking sports if he’s gon be a GM.. he knows the game good enough to be the coach but it’s up to him what he chooses to do what his interest gon be.. prolly end up being the first to do all of these

My guess is a GM like Jordan, and be around the players behind the scenes.. a coach would show him round the players more publicly and ya always say he likes the spotlight

[SkyBill40]

How present? Annoyingly so. His ego won't be able to handle not being mentioned on the daily or having some form of involvement. His kid is in the league now and there's a strong chance his other one gets there eventually. He's a fixture and always will be, like it or not.

Personally I can't wait to see him retire.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[cdubbz]

I hope he isn't that present, but we all know he will be a part of the league somehow.

It's just tiring watching, listening, and seeing all the LBJ stuff and how he forces everything his way. Bronny James has a few years in the league followed by Bryce James getting drafted to the Lakers

Let the young guys take over the league.

[falcolombardi]

This man really lives rent free on yall heads holy **** lol

[SlimShady83]

He will be part of the new Las Vegas expansion team's ownership group and ensure that Bronny and Bryce get max contracts with them.

This x10

[Lockdown504090]

He will be part of the new Las Vegas expansion team's ownership group and ensure that Bronny and Bryce get max contracts with them.

This x10

Lebron said he sleeps 9-10 hours a night and takes a nap before games. He spends 6 hours preparing and playing in games. He has very talented business People around him to handle day to day. His kids are mostly grown. He’s going to have so much extra time to piss off people off it will make your head spin. He’s going to be MORE visible.

He doesn’t even have to worry about dribbling, and you still won’t be able to shut him up

[One_and_Done]

As the GOAT with a massive celebrity reach and his own player agency? Pretty relevant I'd say. Every future star will be vainly compared to Lebron.

[Lalouie]

he'll be gone

but he left his seed

it won't be like kobe if that's what you're asking

[Hellcrooner]

at least as present as the " other dude " meaninge= psychopatically obssesed with everyboud having to bow at him and his story and whatever and trying to still the show with documentarys made to blow their own horn.

[dk1115]

i mean, lebron is going to be an owner of one of the new franchises, so....