LeBron James fans are depressed over how grey he's getting

LeBron James is officially in offseason mode. After guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a second-round exit, where they were swept in four games by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the 41-year-old superstar has traded his basketball shoes for a putter. 

The Lakers' playoff run was severely compromised from the start, with their teammate James, Luka Doncic, sidelined for the entire postseason due to a lingering hamstring injury.

James is an unrestricted free agent. The 41-year-old said he's taking his time before making any free agency or retirement decisions, telling Steve Nash on the “Mind the Game” podcast, "I'm still in the moment of just taking my time. I haven't even really thought about it too much." So while the rest of the league is preparing for the draft and free agency circus, the four-time champion is reading greens.

Recently, he posted a photo to his Instagram story on Friday. Crouched on a golf green, he is pictured lining up a putt at a scenic seaside course in a full Nike fit and a white cap. Lakers fan account @PurpGoldLakers reposted it with the caption, "Bron putting in WORK in the offseason."

Bron putting in WORK in the off season pic.twitter.com/Yzw4KP4HmE

But it wasn't the golf that got folks' attention. It was a visible change in his beard. The photo showed James with a completely gray beard, without his usual dark patches or salt-and-pepper streaks. 

For fans who remember him dominating the court in his twenties, the visual change reminded everyone of his age once again. The long-running jokes about 'Grandpa LeBron' suddenly felt very accurate. 

 "LeBron has a gray beard now," wrote one fan. 

Another added, "We seein grandpa Bron sooner than we thought." 

A third one penned, "Damn bron really gettin old fr." 

The fourth viewer added, "God damn he old." 

And a random X user noted, "I just fell to my knees bra.."

A sixth one joked, "Need a grey beard tomahawk next year GOAT." 

Nobody wanted to believe a guy who still averaged All-Star numbers into his 40s could look this mortal on a golf course. But there it is.

More lifestyle news:

• Sofia Vergara reveals World Cup traditions, opens up about Detect the SOS campaign, Modern Family
• Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding is estimated to cost millions
• Jeremy Lin reveals crazy story behind Kim Kardashian dating rumor
• Tom Brady fans had the most predictable reaction to Good Nut announcement
• Taylor Swift's Cavs courtside seat up for auction