After playing 48 minutes (minus 4.3 seconds), dropping 40-10-9, and getting stuffed at the buzzer in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 113-111 season-ending loss to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, LeBron James concluded his postgame press conference with a dubious cliffhanger.
“I don't know,” he said when asked to evaluate his age-38 season, in which he (mostly) fended off Father Time. “I love to play the game. I love to compete. I love to be out there for my guys, my teammates, whoever I have that particular year.
“For me, it's all about availability and keeping my mind sharp…being present on the floor, being present in the locker room and bus rides and plane rides.
“But I don't know. I don't know. I think it was okay. I don't like to say it's a successful year because I don't play for anything besides winning championships at this point in my career. I don't get a kick out of making a conference (finals) appearance. I've done it, a lot.”
LeBron could have completed his answer at that point — he knew it was the final question of his final media availability of the 2022-23 season. But, in classic LeBron fashion, he opted to throw in one more nugget (no pun intended).
“But we'll see. We'll see. We'll see what happens going forward. I don't know. I don't know. I've got a lot to think about, to be honest — just for me personally, going forward, with the game of basketball. I've got a lot to think about it.”
He dropped the mic and walked out.
LeBron wrapped up his press conference by saying he has “a lot to think about” regarding his personal future in basketball pic.twitter.com/IiFW3EWXYX
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) May 23, 2023
LeBron doubled down on his ominous comment via two trusted sources. He told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he has “got to think about it,” when asked specifically about walking away from the game. TNT's Chris Haynes also reported that LeBron is considering retirement this summer, but will take his time to decide.
This could mean everything, nothing, or something in between. LeBron could be making an early leverage play as the offseason begins. He could be providing the media with fodder before jettisoning off to the Maldives or wherever. He is physically and mentally taxed after a grueling playoff run. Foot surgery is possible.
“I'm going to get an MRI on it and see how the tendon either healed or not healed and go from there. We'll see what happens,” he told ESPN.
Or, he could be completely genuine.
LeBron has two years and $97 million remaining on his contract. 2024-25 is a $50.6 million player option. He has stated a preference to finish his storied career in Los Angeles. Of course, he's repeatedly expressed a desire to play with Bronny, who will start at USC in the fall and will be eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft. However, LeBron recently hedged a bit, stressing that teaming up with his son is his personal dream.
“I've done what I've had to do in this league and my son is going to take his journey,” he said after Game 3 of the second round. “So, just because that's my aspiration or my goal, doesn't mean it's his. And I'm absolutely OK with that.”
James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 55 games during the regular season, though his numbers — particularly his shooting efficiency — declined in the playoffs. He veered more off-ball and chose his spots more carefully than ever (Game 6 vs. the Golden State Warriors was the lone exception). He missed key bunnies in Game 2 of the conference finals — including his signature dunk — and his sudden tendency to settle for long jumpers became a talking point.
The Lakers are facing a slew of roster decisions. LeBron and Anthony Davis were reluctant to preview next season, citing the lack of players under contract.
“I haven't even thought about next year. I don't know,” LeBron said. “To be honest, I'm not quite sure what the roster will look like next year. I think myself, AD, Max Christie, I think Vando has a team option, player option, something like that, I don't know who else (is coming back). I mean, the roster is not set. Obviously, that's Rob and the front office. They are going to figure out the best way to put this team together to go forward in the fall. But it's not like we have a team full of multi-year guys that's stuck in a contract right
now. So, I don't know, we'll see.”
The Lakers are expected to match exorbitant offers for restricted free agent Austin Reaves. They'll have to decide on whether to re-sign Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell (who wilted vs. Denver), Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker IV, Malik Beasley, Troy Brown Jr, and Mo Bamba.
Perhaps LeBron believes that renouncing those supporting pieces (other than Reaves) in favor of a third star is the most direct route to a fifth ring. LeBron previously pined for the Lakers to acquire free-agent-to-be Kyrie Irving, who happened to be sitting courtside for Game 4. LeBron threatening retirement one hour after the season wrapped may be his latest attempt to nudge the franchise toward Kyrie.
Ironically, LeBron's heroic effort as the Lakers were swept by a fresher and more potent Nuggets squad — he scored a playoff career-high 31 points in the first half, took back-to-back charges on Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter, and aptly switched onto Jamal Murray, but was limping, keeled over, and gassed throughout the second half — came on the same day his '03 draft classmate Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement.
LeBron spoke at length about Melo, and mentioned that he knew the retirement announcement was coming, as he filmed the video posted today a week ago. (He joked that people will probably think he’s lying about that.) He talked about their two-decade journey/friendship. pic.twitter.com/C70TVhGchp
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) May 23, 2023
As LeBron always says, his mind will determine how much longer he plays. As long as he's mentally committed, he'll invest the time and resources into getting his body ready. For that to happen, he has to be invested in the roster around him.
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