The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James are going home as they lost to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. And now that James’ season is over, many are wondering if he played his last game with the team.
“I’m not going to answer that,” James told reporters after the game,per ESPN. James did everything he could to keep the Lakers in the playoff series, scoring 30 points with 11 assists, nine rebounds and four steals in the game on Monday night. His focus now shifts to his family before heading to training camp for USA Basketball ahead of the Paris Olympics.
“I just want to get home to the family,” James said, per The Athletic. “Honestly, one of my boys is trying to decide if he’s going to enter the draft or go back to school. Another kid is playing AAU ball right now. My daughter is playing volleyball. My wife is doing so many great things. So it’s about family right now. Then, in a couple months, I got to go to Vegas for training camp. So I need to rest my body for (USA Basketball).”
James is not sure about his future with the Lakers, but could the 39-year-old retire? “I don’t have an answer … to be honest. I haven’t given it much thought,” James said. James has until June 29 to either opt into the final year of his contract or become an unrestricted free agent. If he does return to the Lakers for the 2024-25 season, James will make $51.4 million.
According to The Athletic, James is expected to play up to two more seasons. The Lakers are reportedly open to discussing any deal that involves James returning, which could mean he could sign a three-year, $164 million contract extension.
Anthony Davis shows support for LeBron James
James has played with Anthony Davis since 2019, and the two helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2020. And midway through the 2023 season, James and Davis led the Lakers to the first in-season tournament championship in NBA history. Davis is going to support James no matter what decision he makes.
“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.”
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