If you’re hoping LeBron James will play again for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics, don’t count on it.
Now that Team USA got the job done, beating France at the 2024 Olympics, the attention moves to the 2028 games in Los Angeles.
LeBron James was asked after winning the gold medal for America if he would be donning the red, white and blue again as the Olympics return to the United States. However, he threw cold water on that idea, saying he “can’t see” himself participating in those games via Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
As amazing as it would be for LeBron to still be a Laker and playing for Team USA, vying for another gold medal, it seems unrealistic.
Even if the desire existed, LeBron has to begin declining, right?
By 2028, he will be 43. Yes, he’s already defied logic by being this good at 39, but four years from now, will he still be an All-NBA caliber player who can carry a team full of Americans to victory?
The answer was a resounding yes in this tournament, as Bron ended these Olympics averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.
His play was so spectacular that he was named the Paris Olympics MVP.
Still, the uncomfortable truth is we are closer to the end of LeBron’s career than the start.
He’s 39 and counting, plays on a team that’s running it back after winning just 47 games and if he’s done with Olympic play, one has to wonder if this is the last time we see LeBron James win at a high level.
If LeBron, a man who has defied the status quo, can’t see himself playing at the 2028 Olympics, then it’s hard to see it ourselves.
Still, it would make for a great story. LeBron, as a Laker, playing in Los Angeles and representing Team USA to win his third gold medal, that’s a narrative fit for a Disney movie.
But this is real life and sometimes we have to quit while we’re ahead before we fall behind.
LeBron is still one of the best players on Earth. Perhaps he sees it better to ride off in the sunset with some miles left on his legs instead of going until the wheels fall off in an attempt to do one more cool thing.
So, until we hear otherwise, don’t count on LeBron playing at the 2028 Olympics. He signed a two-year $104 million deal this summer and has a player option for the second season.
No one knows what the future holds for the King beyond this contract, but it sounds like another mathcup against the Joker in Los Angeles isn’t in the cards.
