LeBron James will turn 40 next year, but he still wants to play in the NBA. Could LeBron become a player-coach?
It’s a fascinating idea. Darvin Ham’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers is uncertain, as he was fired by the team on Friday. The idea of LeBron replacing Ham as the Lakers’ head coach while still playing is intriguing, but it is unlikely to happen. At the very least, if LeBron and the Lakers truly wanted it to happen, the process would be more complicated than simply naming him head coach.
According to an ESPN article from 2004, the NBA effectively prohibited teams from employing player-coaches during the salary cap era, which began in the 1983-84 season. Teams could work around the salary cap by paying a player-coach less as a player but more as a coach.
For example, a team may offer LeBron James a salary that is significantly lower than what is expected of a player of his caliber. The team may then overpay him as a coach. The league clearly intended to close this loophole.
Prior to the salary cap’s implementation in 1983-84, there were several player-coaches. Legends like Bill Russell and Bob Cousy served as player-coaches.
Perhaps one day the player-coach will return. However, the NBA would need to ensure that a player-coach cannot work around the salary cap. This could be accomplished by having the player do the coaching job for “free” while continuing to receive their regular player salary. There would also need to be multiple levels of approval, likely from the league, the NBPA, and the Board of Governors. Even if LeBron and the Lakers wanted it, there is no guarantee that it will happen.
Nonetheless, if LeBron chooses to pursue that career path, he would most likely make an excellent NBA head coach. He is currently focused on finishing his playing career.
LeBron James’ NBA future
LeBron holds a player option for the 2024-25 season. He may decide to opt out and enter free agency for the final time.
Bronny James declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, which is one factor to consider when considering his potential free agency. Rumors have circulated that the Lakers would consider drafting Bronny if it meant keeping LeBron as well.
The general consensus is that LeBron wants to play at least one year alongside his son. So, if Bronny is selected by a team, whether it is the Lakers or another, that team will be immediately associated with LeBron.
Of course, James hopes to win another championship. He already has four NBA Finals victories, but adding at least one more would put him one behind Michael Jordan’s six championships.
The Lakers also have questions to answer. They lost in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Darvin Ham has left Los Angeles, and the team plans to make roster changes during the offseason.
Their strategy will likely be determined by LeBron James’ free agency decision. If he signs elsewhere, perhaps LA will attempt to rebuild. If James re-signs with the Lakers, the team will have no choice but to try to win the championship.
The likelihood of LeBron James becoming a player-coach is low. Even so, we know LeBron enjoys doing his own coaching on the bench, so he could continue to do so regardless of who is hired.