Will he stay or go?
With the Los Angeles Lakers once again eliminated from the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, the main topic that emerged was about LeBron James.
Will the 39-year-old star hang up his sneakers after considering retirement after last season? Or could he leave Los Angeles for somewhere else?
James addressed rumors regarding his future on social media on Tuesday.
“I've seen and heard a lot of reports regarding my future,” James said. I wrote to X, formerly known as Twitter. “I said it last night and I'll say it again. I don't know yet because all I care about is spending time with my family and friends! I'll find out after I talk to my family, my lawyer, and my representative.” Until then, you all know about it. [hush emoji].Love [crown emoji]. ”
If James chooses to return, it will be the 22nd year for the 2003 No. 1 overall pick. He has a player option worth $51 million in 2024-25 if he opts in via Spotrac.
After Monday's Game 5 loss, James was asked if it was his last game as a Laker.
“I'm not going to answer that,” he said.
He could opt out and re-sign a new contract with the Lakers, as he has in the past, or test free agency. The opt-in deadline is June 29th.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said James could choose the latter of those two options. guessed Tuesday morning. If that happens, it would be the first time James has been available in free agency since 2018, when he left Cleveland for Southern California.
His age hasn't slowed him down in his 21st season, and he played in 71 games, averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks (shooting splits of 54/41/75).
Then, in the first round against reigning champion Denver, James posted the following stat line:
- Game 1: 27 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 10 of 16 shots
- Game 2: 26 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 9 of 19 shots
- Game 3: 26 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 12 of 20 shots
- Game 4: 30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 14 of 23 shots
- Game 5: 30 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 11-of-21 shooting
But if James calls it a career, it could be Father Time's first loss.
