The Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night. It may have been LeBron James’s final game in the NBA.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, James is “uncertain if he’ll be with the team when the 2023-24 season starts in the fall, and retirement is under consideration.”
James has played 20 seasons in the NBA and he is expected to take some time before deciding whether or not he’ll return for a 21st. He does have two years remaining on his contract, which would pay him another $97 million, though his final year is a player option.
LeBron has also said previously that he wanted to remain in the NBA long enough to play with his son Bronny James, though that would appear to still be at least a couple of seasons off as well.
“I got a lot to think about,” said James after LA’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday. “Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about.”
LeBron James with a cryptic ending to his press conference: “I got a lot to think about. … Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) May 23, 2023
James certainly has nothing left to prove. If he does end his career after this season, the 38-year-0ld will retire as a four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP, 19-time All-Star, and all-time NBA scoring leader.
While we wait to see what the future holds for LeBron James, the NBA world had some strong thoughts and reactions.
1) retire for a year
2) watch Bronny at USC
3) recharge the body
4) come back in 2024
5) sign with whatever team drafts Bronnynot a bad strategy at all, to be honest. and he wouldnt end his career getting swept. LeBron is not going to end his career getting swept, right? right? https://t.co/zJ2L7NSD5T
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 23, 2023
Article doesn't say anything other than reposting the quote that's been flying around from Bron's presser. It's clickbait
I honestly think his comments more have to do with AD and the FO to continue to set the team up for success https://t.co/GRc1E71yVO
— Omar Siddiqi (@osid24) May 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/garykester/status/1660876376445161472
https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/1660876181007216641
