Bronny James emerges as central figure in LeBron James end-of-season speculation

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023 NBA season ended Monday night with a loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. The Lakers were swept 4-0 in the series, meaning LeBron James has played his last game of a very long and taxing season. At age 38, LeBron’s ability to refill the fuel tank on a game-by-game basis is naturally not what it used to be. Yet, LeBron’s spectacular performance in Game 4 — 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in 48 minutes — shows that he can still play ball with the best of them.

One would think that LeBron James has not played his last NBA game. There are many reasons for this line of thought in the basketball community, one of them being that LeBron is still a high-level player, but a very central reason for LeBron to continue playing is Bronny James, who will play for the USC Trojans this upcoming college basketball season.

LeBron James offered some eyebrow-raising remarks after the Lakers’ loss, but people are rightly not convinced this is the end for LeBron as an NBA player. You can see the reactions below:

WHAT HAS FUELED THE SPECULATION

LEBRON’S ACTUAL REMARKS ON VIDEO

ONE BRONNY ANGLE

ANOTHER BRONNY-RELATED INSIGHT

IT COULD BE THE CASE THAT LEBRON IS SPENT AND NOT PHYSICALLY WHOLE

LEBRON PLAYING CHESS

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire