LeBron James is once again facing questions about his NBA future after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Following the Lakers’ 115-110 Game 4 loss, which completed a second-round sweep, the 41-year-old admitted he still does not know whether he will return for another season.
“I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I’ve answered questions. I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming,’” James said after the loss. “With my future, I don’t know, honestly. It’s, obviously it’s still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me.”
Despite the series ending in disappointment, James made it clear he was proud of the effort he gave throughout the postseason.
“I left everything I could on the floor,” James said. “I can leave the floor saying, ‘S—, even though I hate losing obviously, I was locked in on what we needed to do. … I tried to make sure our guys were locked in on what we needed to do throughout the postseason, throughout 10 games. And obviously we fell a little short, but I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure.”
James plans to step away and evaluate everything with his family before making a final decision on whether to continue playing.
James said he plans to “recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them” over the next several weeks.
For the first time during his Lakers tenure, James enters the offseason without a contract or player option attached to his future.
The four-time champion completed his twenty-third NBA season averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds during the regular season before elevating his play in the playoffs.
Even after everything he has accomplished, James admitted the chase for another championship is still driving him.
“I’ve done it all. I’ve seen it all,” James said. “Just being able to compete and trying to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”
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