will he stay, or will he leave?
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.
Would the 39-year-old star hang up his sneakers after considering retirement last season? Or is it possible he’s leaving Los Angeles for somewhere else?
James addressed the rumors about his future on social media on Tuesday.
“I’ve seen and heard a lot of reports about my future,” James written the, formerly known as Twitter. “I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I don’t know yet because all I can think about is spending time with my family and friends! When I know, after speaking with the family, my lawyer and my representation on this subject, you will know it by then. [hush emoji]. Love [crown emoji]”.
If James chooses to return, it would be the 22nd year for the former No. 1 overall pick from 2003. He has a player option for 2024-25 worth $51 million if he joins , via Spotrac.
After being knocked out in Game 5 on Monday, James was asked if this 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 deal with the Lakers — as he has done with the past — or potentially test free agency. The deadline to register is June 29.
James could do the latter of these two options, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst speculated Tuesday morning. If so, it would be the first time James has been available in free agency since 2018, when he left Cleveland for Southern California.
Age didn’t slow James down in Year 21, where he played in 71 games and averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0. 5 blocks on a fire share of 54/41/75.
Then against Denver, the defending champions, in the first round, James posted these stat lines:
- Game 1: 27 points, eight assists, six rebounds, one steal, one block, 10 of 16 shots
- Game 2: 26 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks, 9 of 19 shots
- Game 3: 26 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals, one block, 12 of 20 shots
- Game 4: 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, one block, 14 of 23 shots
- Game 5: 30 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, four steals, 11 of 21 shots
In case James calls it a career, this could be Father Time’s first loss.
