Kendrick Perkins calls on LeBron James to RETIRE as ESPN analyst insists Lakers star is harming his legacy and the GOAT argument by playing on

Kendrick Perkins insisted LeBron James should retire to avoid further damage to his legacy and GOAT argument.

James and the Lakers recently fell to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs for the second year in a row. After being swept by the defending champions in the conference finals last season, Los Angeles fell to Nikola Jokic and co in five games in the first round this year.

On Monday’s edition of First Take, Perkins discussed how James is hurting his legacy by prolonging his career despite playing well for his age.

“At the end of the day, I hate to say it, but I believe it in my soul right now: I wish LeBron James would retire,” Perkins said.

“Not because I don’t want to see more LeBron James, not because I don’t like LeBron James,” he continued. “But I honestly believe deep down, the more LeBron James continues to play basketball, the more it’s going to hurt his legacy and the more it’s going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument.”

Kendrick Perkins Wishes LeBron James Would Retire to Avoid Damaging His Legacy

James’ 21st season in the NBA ended with a 4-1 loss to the Nuggets in the first round.

Perkins further argued that James was hurting his GOAT argument by prolonging his career.

Since winning the NBA title in 2020, the Lakers have been eliminated in the first round twice and missed the playoffs in 2022. With four titles under his belt, Perkins emphasized how much expectation will loom over James as long as he plays.

“As long as he steps foot on that field, every season, he will be expected to win a championship,” Perkins said. “And when he doesn’t do that, we’re going to look at him and say, ‘Well, what happened now?’

Additionally, the Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham after he was eliminated, as he was largely responsible for their losses.

With names such as Ty Lue and JJ Reddick being floated to potentially fill the vacancy, Perkins alluded to the fact that they can’t put the blame on another coach if they fail to make the finals next season.

“So now you look at the Lakers, they’re probably going to re-sign LeBron James this coming season. If they fail to qualify for the Finals or the Western Conference Finals, who is to blame? I have a problem, man. And I tell you, I’m torn between the two.