After winning four championships and amassing over 42,000 points with three different franchises, LeBron James is arguably the greatest player in NBA history.
But after 22 seasons, the 40-year-old’s career is likely winding down. Many fans are wondering what James will do next once he inevitably retires.
Many players become coaches or TV analysts after retirement. But James, who has made hundreds of millions of dollars in his career, certainly doesn’t need the money and may not be interested in taking that path.
During a recent episode of “Mind The Game,” a podcast hosted by James and Steve Nash, James revealed his true feelings when asked about which NBA team he would be interested in coaching after retirement.
Will LeBron James Become an NBA Coach After Retiring?
Many NBA stars contemplate becoming coaches after their playing careers end. After all, it allows them to utilize their high basketball IQ and help nurture the next generation of stars.
Look no further than Nash, who coached the Brooklyn Nets for parts of three seasons from 2020 to 2023, compiling a 94-67 record and leading the Nets to a pair of playoff appearances before getting fired seven games into his third season.
When a fan named Alfonso Taylor asked James what team he would be interested in coaching after retirement, Nash, who read out the question to James, could not help but share a disclaimer advising James to avoid becoming a coach.
There might have been no need for this, however, given that James already appeared to have made up his mind.
“There’s no way. There’s no way, guys,” James said. “Alfonso Taylor, appreciate you for the kind question. But it ain’t happening. No team. Zero chance.”
Sorry y’all, LeBron’s never coaching.
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Although James might have the potential to become a good coach, people can understand why he is completely against the idea and unwilling to make the same “mistake” Nash made a few years ago.
Since the modern NBA can be considered player-focused and player-oriented, teams tend to blame and “scapegoat” coaches to create an appearance of change and development. Several talented and accomplished coaches have been fired for their teams’ lack of success.
Given that James has already faced enough scrutiny and negative criticism as a player, he has absolutely no need to endure something similar as a coach. As a result, it is far more likely for him to become a team owner rather than a head coach.
While James could certainly change his mind at some point, it’s hard to envision him pursuing a coaching career in light of his recent comments.
