Anthony Davis Seemingly Caught Off Guard by LeBron’s Retirement Hints

LeBron

When LeBron dropped his retirement hints after the Lakers Game 4 loss, it seemed his teammate Anthony Davis was left in the dark about it.

Judging by what AD said in his postgame press conference, he was under the impression that, like him, James would be returning next season and the pair would be trying to win another chip together.

“We don’t know what team we have next year,” Davis said. “But whatever it is, whoever we have coming to training camp with the mindset of building that chemistry, building that foundation, me and LeBron setting the tone, trying to get back here and further.

“Yeah, we know the window is always small and obviously he’s not getting any younger. You know, this is why this was so important to both of us, and it hurts that we didn’t get it done. But you know, we regroup, figure out ways we can be better. Figure out ways I can be better, more consistent for our ball club and we come back next year ready to go.”

It doesn’t really sound like anyone gave Davis a heads up about LeBron’s retirement hints in his earlier press conference.

“Davis, when informed by ESPN about James’ postgame comments following Monday’s loss, was surprised to hear them at first,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. “Like James, Davis is under contract with the Lakers for next season — one of only a few players with deals on a roster that could see a lot of movement this summer.

“But after considering the remarks a little longer, Davis recalled a recent conversation he had with James when he told James he ‘might have one more in me’ when talking about the 2024 Olympics in Paris. James told Davis he might already be done by then. Davis, thinking James misheard him, explained he was talking about USA Basketball next summer, not 2028 in Los Angeles.

“James reiterated to Davis that he could have already hung up his sneakers by next year’s Olympics.”

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