Future with Lakers is Murky for Lebron James After Team’s Playoff Exit

LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 9, 2024. (Note To User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Could this be the end of Hall of Famer Lebron James’s journey with the Los Angeles Lakers?

The four-time MVP was uncertain whether he would continue with the Lakers after the team bowed out in the first round of the playoffs with a 108–106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 on Monday night.

At age 39, James is the oldest player in the NBA, one year older than P.J. Tucker (Clippers), Chris Paul (Warriors), Taj Gibson (Pistons), and Kyle Lowry (Heat).

When asked if he'd thought “at all” if this was his last game with the Lakers, James responded, “I’m not going to answer that.”

James’s immediate playing days will continue at least through the summer. He is part of Team USA, which will compete in the Paris Olympics and is the gold-medal favorite.

Over his international career, James has two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012) and a bronze medal (2004). This summer, he will be making his fourth appearance with Team USA after skipping the past two Olympic games.

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“It’s about family right now,” he said. “In a couple of months, I have to go to Vegas for [USA Basketball’s Olympic] training camp. I’ve got to rest my body. Obviously, at some point, I’ll sit down with my agent, and my family and see what’s best for my career. We’ll cross that when we need to.”

If James does return to the Lakers, it would be an expensive move for the franchise. James has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024–2025 season and he is eligible for a three-year, $164 million maximum extension with Los Angeles.

James has until June 29 to opt into the final year of his contract or become an unrestricted free agent if he does decide to keep playing. It’s also uncertain whether the Lakers will retain coach Darvin Ham after the first-round playoff exit.

James’s teammates would welcome him back with open arms.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis said he has not spoken at length with James about his future. He plans to support him throughout the process and the two of them will be teammates for Team USA this summer.

“I mean, he has been in this position numerous times in his career, where he had to make a decision ultimately for himself and his family,” Davis said. "I‘ll be right there supporting whatever he decides to do. It’s still fresh. I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s not even on his mind right now. But I’m pretty sure he’ll come talk to me, tell me what’s going on before he becomes public with the situation, just to keep me in the loop.”

James is one of the most decorated players in NBA history. He is the league’s all-time leading scorer and ranks fourth in career assists. James has been named an All-Star a record 20 times and was selected to the All-NBA Team 19 times. James is also underrated defensively and, was a runner-up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice in his career

James has won four NBA championships over his 21-year career. He won his first two titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013. James won a third championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and the fourth trophy came with the Lakers in 2020.

If James does decide to walk away from the NBA, there’s little left for him to accomplish as a professional basketball player.

For now, James plans to head home and spend time with his wife, Savannah James, and three children.

His oldest son, Bronny James, entered the 2024 NBA Draft in early April but he has still maintained his college eligibility at USC. He missed the first month of the season after suffering a cardiac arrest in July. The Lakers could consider drafting him to play with his father.

“I just want to get home to the family, honestly,” James said. “Looking at the schedule ... one of my boys is just trying to decide whether he’s gonna enter the draft or go back to school, I got another kid who’s playing AAU ball right now, my daughter’s playing volleyball, and my wife is doing so many great things, so it’s about family right now. And then in a couple of months, I have to go to Vegas for training camp.”