In the wake of a disappointing first-round playoff exit, LeBron James found himself uncertain about the path ahead. Following the culmination of his 22nd NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers star faced questions about his future.
“I’m not sure about that,” James commented when asked about the duration of his playing career. “It’s something I’ll need to discuss with my wife and my support network, weighing the possibilities and figuring out what’s next. I honestly don’t have an answer right now.”
At 40, James hasn’t publicly hinted at retiring this summer, but Lakers enthusiasts are on tenterhooks, eagerly awaiting the announcement of his plans. After delivering 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a 103-96 defeat by Minnesota, James maintained an air of mystery.
“It’s ultimately my decision whether I continue to play and for how long,” James stated. “It’s entirely my choice, independent of others’ influence.”
Many believe the four-time NBA champion is eyeing a return for a 23rd season, potentially breaking the longevity record he shares with Vince Carter. Moreover, he is just 49 regular-season games shy of Robert Parish’s all-time record of 1,611 games played, while already holding the distinction for the most career playoff games at 292.
However, James’ seventh campaign with the Lakers concluded after a 4-1 series defeat by the Timberwolves. The Lakers struggled to gel rapidly after the midseason addition of Luka Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Over the past five years since clinching the championship in Orlando, the Lakers have only advanced beyond the postseason once. Should James decide to return, he will face a reimagined roster alongside Doncic, promising a fresh potential era for the team.
James and Doncic shared the court for a mere 21 games following the trade, a stint that was insufficient to fully harness their combined potential. With another season together, their partnership could transform into a robust force. James appears intrigued by prolonging his play alongside the Slovenian sensation, whom he regards as his favorite current player.
“Acquiring a significant player midseason is always a challenge, not just for me, but for Austin Reaves and the rest of the squad,” James noted. “There were moments we didn’t perform well, but as the season progressed, we started syncing better. Although we could’ve used more time, we concluded the regular season strongly, finishing among the top three in the West.”
Alongside Doncic, James’ decision to continue may also be influenced by his 20-year-old son, Bronny. The young James had an impressive rookie stint, making basketball history by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
Bronny aims for a more significant role next season, having experienced limited court time this year. Playing alongside his son was, according to LeBron, the pinnacle of his illustrious career.
Financially, James faces no major hurdles. He holds a player option for the upcoming season worth more than $56.2 million, a substantial sum even for someone with a net worth surpassing $1 billion.
An additional season with the Lakers would mark his longest tenure with any team, eclipsing his initial seven-year stint with Cleveland, though he later returned to the Cavaliers for four seasons and a championship win.
Despite the challenges of his 22nd season, James’ performance defied conventional expectations for athletes of his age. Averaging 24.4 points per game—near his rookie numbers—alongside 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds, his influence was pivotal as the Lakers secured 52 victories and clinched the Pacific Division title amid roster changes.
Reflecting when nearing his 40th milestone last December, James speculated about maintaining this level for up to seven more years, though he doesn’t foresee playing that long.