LeBron James revealed that he is unsure if he will return to the LA Lakers lineup for his 21st NBA season after the elimination from the NBA Finals.
“We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said in the final answer of his postgame news conference. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
LeBron James scored 31 of his 40 points in the first half, but missed two tying shots in the final seconds and the Denver Nuggets went on to win Game 4 (113-111) and sweep the series (4-0).
“It’s all about availability for me and keeping my mind sharp, and things of that nature,” James added. “Being present on the floor, being present in the locker room and bus rides and plane rides, things of that nature. It’s challenging, for sure. It was a very challenging season for me, for our ballclub, and obviously we know whatever went on early on (in the Lakers’ 2-10 start to the season). It was cool, a pretty cool ride.”
LeBron James and the Lakers had a remarkable playoff run as the No.7 seed in the West, but ended the postseason in a disappointing way with four straight defeats.
James is under contract for $46.9M next season with the Lakers, who are expected to enter an offseason of uncertainty until their superstar makes his intentions clear. The four-time NBA champion and all-time scoring leader has two years, $97M remaining on his contract, but the final year is a player option.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if he’ll be with team when 2023-24 season starts in fall and retirement is under consideration, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. https://t.co/7M3WuEzwOL
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 23, 2023
