LeBron James Undecided About NBA Future

[RealGM Wiretap]

As he has been when each of the last several seasons has ended, LeBron James was asked about his future. James was uncertain in his answers about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as continuing his NBA career.

"I don't know," James said when asked how much longer he planned to play before retiring. "I don't have an answer to that. Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play.

"I don't know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we'll see."

James has a $52.6 million player option for next season. When asked about his future with the Lakers, James was similarly non-committal. The NBA's all-time leading scorer also said he has no idea what the Los Angeles roster will look like moving forward.

"It's a business," James said. "So you don't know what the roster will look like next year besides the guys that [are] locked into contracts. S---, I got a lot to think about myself. So I don't know what the roster will look like. I don't know where I stand right now."

Asked if that meant he could consider playing elsewhere, James suggested that it was more about if he'll play at all next season.

"Just continuing to play, I don't know where I'm at," James said. "That's what that is. Not coming back to play here. Just playing, period."

Via Dave McMenamin/ESPN

[SuperDeluxe]

Well, a diva-type player like LeBron won't retire without a farewell tour, so one more season is a given.

[Note30]

This was the same headline last year when he got swept.

Anything to distract people.

[Eli Babak]

And the attention seeking begins, lol. He ain't leaving that 50M on the table.

[Hans1984]

Retirement would be the right decision.

[stlboy]

Well, a diva-type player like LeBron won't retire without a farewell tour, so one more season is a given.

Exactly…we know he’s playing another year, but it might not be for the Lakers.

[castor777]

He's definitely playing one more year, that will give him the most games played of any player.
If he wants to go out in the best terms though, it'd be best for him to leave the Lakers and let them rebuild their team around Luka. They aren't going anywhere as constructed and his legacy with the Lakers is underwhelming given their championship came during the pandemic away from LA.
I've always believed he'll finish his career with one last season in Cleveland where he's cherished and will have a statue outside the arena. Given how the Cavs are constructed too, he can start at SF and not play over 30 minutes a game while being on a deep team not even heavily reliant on him.

[Jondiggs]

Honestly I hate when LeBron does whatever it takes to make sure the spotlight is still on him but the media trolls know as much as my 9 year old son knows LeBron is going to announce his retirement before the start of whatever season he plans to retire so why even ask such a stupid question?. And real why even post this? all for some views so ya adds can get yall a cheque. Sell outs lol

[xchange55]

IMO - Ego Lebron has a hard time dealing with the fact that Luka is a better player than him and is more beloved by the fans already. It will hurt his "legacy". It seemed Lebron was intially happy with the trade (another potential carry in the Finals), but he probably thought Luka would just defer and be his sidekick until retirement. Now that Luka isn't changing his game it's almost like it's either me or you each game to get a triple double.

Based on Luka's statements, he doens't seem to committed to LAL either yet. I feel like he's not the "big spotlight" type of person and he probably knows Lebron's defense can't help him win now.

[TheCage4]

I'd love to see him retire, but as it has been mentioned here already, he won't go without the farewell tour.

That said, if he was serious about competing, he'd decline his player option and a far less 1-year deal. That would open up financial flexibility for the Lakers to put together a more competitive roster. That won't happen though because it's LeBron.

All that said it'll be nice to see one more year of him missing out on a chance at a championship.

[hyberx]

He is just using this leverage to force Lakers to mortgage the farm for another franchise type player. We knew he can't win without 2 additional franchise players or the peak of a global pandemic where nobody watches or wants to play. Luka alone won't get him another ring. Maybe KD, or Giannis? Sell your kidney, Jeanie Buss.

[Pickled Prunes]

IMO - Ego Lebron has a hard time dealing with the fact that Luka is a better player than him and is more beloved by the fans already. It will hurt his "legacy". It seemed Lebron was intially happy with the trade (another potential carry in the Finals), but he probably thought Luka would just defer and be his sidekick until retirement. Now that Luka isn't changing his game it's almost like it's either me or you each game to get a triple double.

Based on Luka's statements, he doens't seem to committed to LAL either yet. I feel like he's not the "big spotlight" type of person and he probably knows Lebron's defense can't help him win now.

You should check their stats and poll some fans before making statements like that. I don't believe Luka is better or more beloved. The fact that a "who's better" discussion is even possible between a 40yo man and a 26yo athlete in their prime shouldn't sit well with Laker fans. Lebron's ego is secure.

[Revived]

I’ll cut my p**** off if someone as big of a narcissist as LeBron retires without doing a fair well tour and dozens of cameras following him to make into a series or something in his final season. That’s how sure I am that he isn’t gonna just suddenly retire like Tim Duncan did.

[Melwing]

This was the same headline last year when he got swept.

Anything to distract people.

He was asked the question in an interview. What do you want him to do, not answer?

[Melwing]

I’ll cut my p**** off if someone as big of a narcissist as LeBron retires without doing a fair well tour and dozens of cameras following him to make into a series or something in his final season. That’s how sure I am that he isn’t gonna just suddenly retire like Tim Duncan did.

I like LeBron but you're absolutely right. He'll probably charge ESPN a billion dollars to document his final season or something