Los Angeles Lakers All-Star small forward LeBron James gave both the front office and many fans a scare with his exit press conference last offseason when he floated a possible retirement from the NBA.

After a four-game Western Conference Finals series loss to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets, James mentioned he had much to think about after the crushing defeat.

“Was he trying to divert the attention from all the blue and yellow brooms that were lying about? Was this a leverage play with the Lakers, a clever way to regain some control of roster decisions in anticipation of Kyrie Irving’s free agency? Or, as one of his associates had suggested in the immediate aftermath of it all, maybe James’ reflective state was inspired by the retirement of his close friend and fellow 2003 draftee Carmelo Anthony on that very same day.“

              via Sam Amick, The Athletic

The timing of his close friend and fellow 2003 draftee Carmelo Anthony’s retirement likely contributed to a thought to speak on emotion on the night that eventually ended the Lakers’ 2023 season.

LA made an inspired run in taking out two higher seeds in both the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors to reach the NBA’s final four in pursuit of their 18th title in franchise history.

Anthony and James played together in the 2021-22 NBA season, though unfortunately it was far past Anthony’s All-Star prime. Los Angeles missed the playoffs and the forward was unable to find a subsequent NBA home. He ultimately called it a career.

Close friends for decades now, Anthony’s choice to retire made James the only member of the 2003 draft still active in the league.

It’s a heavy crown to wear for King James but another he will gladly don for his 21st season in the league, a year where the Lakers are well positioned to get the job done this time.