LeBron James speakign to NBA refereeCLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers complains to referee Tom Washington #49 during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.


NBA fans think LeBron James will definitely retire as the league has announced an expected rule change.

The Los Angeles Lakers star teased retirement following his team’s playoff exit earlier this year and, while no one believed him at the time, social media reckons he could call curtains on his career now that the NBA is set to experiment with a new flopping penalty.

 

The NBA made an announcement this Tuesday, disclosing plans to test a proposed in-game penalty for the aforementioned infraction during Summer League this year.

According to the new rule, a flop will be determined by referees and will be punished by awarding the opposing team one free throw, as well as possession of the ball. The player deemed to be in violation will be hit with an unsportsmanlike tech, though it won’t count towards personal fouls or lead to an ejection.

Refs won’t need to stop play to call a flop either.

Given that LeBron has been accused of flopping for most of his career, fans think this is the last straw for the 38-year-old.

Lebron got swept while Flopping like this ?????? pic.twitter.com/ZeuaipbGTk

— #️⃣ 1️⃣ MJ #️⃣2️⃣ Steph Curry (@solomon_tech) July 4, 2023

Looks like King James’ future could hinge on the outcome of the league’s experiment.

The anti-flopping rule has been around since 2012 but there was no immediate penalty attached. As it stands, players are given a warning and are subsequently fined for an accumulation of offenses.

This new consideration could have a significant impact on the game should it come through.