LeBron James gave a vague answer when asked about his future in the NBA after the Lakers lost in the season finale to the Denver Nuggets on Monday in Los Angeles.
We’ll see what happens in the future. James said, but I don’t know. ‘I don’t know. To be honest, I have a lot to think about. James said after scoring 40 points as the Lakers dropped Game 4 to the Nuggets, they officially ended their season with a sweep.
“Just with me personally going forward with the game of basketball… I have a lot to think about.”
James wasn’t necessarily referring to the possibility of retirement, and he fended off questions about his immediate future during Monday’s post-match press conference.
He has previously stated his intention to play alongside his eldest son, Bruni, who will be eligible for the NBA in 2024.
LeBron James gave a vague answer to questions about his future in the NBA
The 38-year-old was denied by Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon on the final possession in the loss
¿I have a lot to think about Just with me personally going forward in the game of basketball ¿I have a lot to think about.
LeBron thinking of retiring??? ¿¿
– LakeShowYo (LakeShowYo) May 23, 2023
Regardless, the future Hall of Famer is now entering the off-season weighing both his future with the Lakers and a potential 21st NBA season.
“It’s been a challenging season for me, for our ball club… It’s been a great journey, but I don’t know… I don’t feel like getting out of conference appearances. I’ve done it a lot and it’s not fun for me not to walk away from getting to Finals.
James’ comment naturally sparked speculation on social media.
“I’m not ready for LeBron to retire,” one fan wrote.
Others didn’t buy retirement talk.
“Everyone knows perfectly well that LeBron is not going to retire,” one fan wrote. “I will put my house and everything I own on it.”
James and the Nikola Jokic-led Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night
After finishing at the end of the first quarter with 31 points, he could only add nine points in the remaining quarters
James finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists after his career-high-scoring half, but even the all-time leading scorer couldn’t keep the deep, dynamic Nuggets from their sixth straight win overall.
James missed two tying shots in the final seconds, with Aaron Gordon getting the official credit for blocking the tying effort at the buzzer.
The Lakers erased a seven-point deficit and tied the game with five minutes to play, but Jokic hit a 25-foot 3-pointer. After Davis hit two free throws to tie it up with 1:13 left, Jokic put the Nuggets ahead again.
James then badly botched a jump sprint freak with 26 seconds left. Jamal Murray missed a conversion to give the Lakers one last chance, but James’ drive at the buzzer was thwarted by Murray and Gordon, who scored 22 points.
The Ohio native holds a next-season contract worth $46.7 million, and has a player option for the 2024-25 season at $50.4 million.
