LeBron James Makes History After New Reports On Lakers Future
Perhaps the biggest guarantee in the NBA is that LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when his career ends.
There have been rumors about his future and a potential retirement, but James remains a member of the Lakers, set to be a free agent in the summer of 2026. However, despite still being an active player, James, along with Chris Paul, became the only two active players in the NBA to be in the Hall of Fame.
They were inducted because of their play on the 2008 Olympic Team USA gold medal-winning squad, nicknamed the ‘Redeem Team’, which was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Following the induction ceremony, James was quick to flex his Hall of Fame jacket on social media.
“We In The Hall Baby!!!!! Ayyyyyyeeee 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👑,” James wrote on Instagram.
LeBron James In The Hall Of Fame
The entire player roster and coaching staff of the 2008 Olympic men’s basketball team were inducted for their contributions in helping win the gold medal. While some, like coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim, as well as players like Jason Kidd and Dwyane Wade, are already in the Hall, James and Paul are in a unique category of those inducted.
Both James and Paul are still active players at the time of the Hall of Fame ceremony, making them the only two active players in the NBA to be given the highest honor in the sport. After the USA’s collapse in the 2004 Olympics, the ‘Redeem Team’ did exactly what their namesake implies.
“In 2004, the United States failed to earn gold at the Athens Olympics, ending a run that started with the 1992 Dream Team of three consecutive gold medals,” Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report wrote. “In 2008, the United States formed a super team featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and more stars.”
The team went 8-0 in all competitions, and easily took home the gold medal. James finished second in scoring at 15.5 points per game, just behind Wade’s 16-point average. He was also third on the team in rebounds and second in assists, behind Paul, the only player to average more than four per game.
James has now won three total gold medals at the Olympics, capped off in Paris last summer with a team led by him alongside Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Bryant was another key member of the 2008 Redeem Team. Members of the team present at the Hall of Fame ceremony honored the long-time Lakers shooting guard and member of the gold-medal winning team.
Lakers Star Makes Another Announcement
While his involvement on the 2008 Redeem Team has been James’ highlight over the past few weeks, the 40-year-old Lakers star made recent comments that created headlines.
Speaking with CGTN Sports Scene, James said he doesn’t see himself becoming a head coach in his post-playing career.
“I was inspired by the game. I love the game,” James said. “But I don’t have coaching in my future.”
Though the thought of James coaching in the NBA would be almost as shocking as his career resume as a player, fans won’t be seeing the 21-time All-Star drawing up plans on the bench anytime soon.
James’ comments on his future came around the same time it was reported that the Lakers do not have a timeline for the future of the four-time Finals MVP.
“Now, as far as LeBron’s future—I know there’s a lot of speculation,” Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. “Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don’t know. As far as I know, he’s honestly going year to year. Could this be his last year? Yes. Will it be his last year? I don’t know. Does he know right now? Maybe. But my interpretation is that it has not been established (with the Lakers). He will see where he’s at at the end of the year.”
James’ future remains a mystery for both the Lakers and the NBA world. While he could either retire after this season or continue his historic career, the league’s all-time leading scorer already has a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Praises Legend After Historic Milestone
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton moved up the coaching ranks in Week 1, and he surpassed a franchise legend to do it.
The Broncos beat the Tennessee Titans, logging a historic victory over rookie No. 1 overall draft pick and quarterback Cam Ward. With that, Payton earned his 171st regular-season victory, good for the 19th most in NFL history.
Payton overtook legendary Broncos HC Mike Shanahan in the process.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Reacts to Passing Mike Shanahan on Regular Season Wins List
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Tennessee Titans.
Payton spoke candidly about the milestone after Denver’s 20-12 win that was also his 19th as Broncos head coach.
“There’s certain times where you feel age. When I see good friends, they stay the same. When you see your good friends’ children growing up, you feel age. And you guys have heard me say before, I grew up on Mike Shanahan going to school at Eastern Illinois. At that time, he was the one guy that made it out, and made it into the NFL,” Payton told reporters via teleconference on September 8. “He’s been a tremendous close friend and, I would say, confidant. So, when I hear that, you don’t pay attention to that.
“I don’t know where that master list is, and it’s not something you look at. It’s kind of like, ‘All right.’ But it does put in perspective, maybe, how fortunate, how long the career has been. And then, how many good players I’ve been able to coach. And look, let’s hope I have a chance to win a second Super Bowl like Mike Shanahan. ”
Payton could end the 2025 season 11th on the all-time coaching wins list, overtaking Chuck Knox, but that would require an undefeated season from the Broncos. If the Broncos match last season’s win total, Payton could get as high as 13th.
To do that, Payton would have to pass to active coaches Pete Caroll of the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh.
Payton also passed another legend and two-time champ, Tom Coughlin, in the Broncos’ victory.
Sean Payton: Mike Shanahan ‘Going in Hall of Fame’
GettyMike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos motions on the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shanahan is still the Broncos’ all-time winningest coach, and Payton sees more accolades on the way for his “close friend.”
“This is his year. This year, the next year, very soon, he’s going in the Hall of Fame,” Payton said. “Probably should have been in two, three years back. But that’s coming real quick. And so, something like that is – I think you reflect on it more than you focus on it.”
Perhaps Payton can pay tribute to Shanahan by emulating his Super Bowl run as he wishes.
Shanahan notched the Broncos’ first two Super Bowl wins, getting them in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998.
Shanahan is still the Broncos’ all-time winningest coach.
Payton has been open about talking about reaching the Super Bowl with the 2025 Broncos, citing them among his previous title-contending teams. Fittingly, Shanahan has been vocal in support of that idea.
“They’ve got a chance to win the big one, and that’s what their goal is,” Shanahan said, per Tomasson on September 6.
Payton and the Broncos’ next test will be on the road against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
