Did LeBron James simply play his final recreation with the Lakers? When requested in a postgame information convention following his crew’s 108-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets, eliminating Los Angeles from the postseason, the NBA celebrity wouldn’t handle his future with the franchise.
“I’m not going to reply that,” James stated Monday evening.
James completed with 30 factors, 11 assists and 9 rebounds, however it wasn’t sufficient in opposition to Denver. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drained a midrange bounce shot within the remaining seconds to ship the Lakers dwelling within the opening spherical.
Murray, who completed with 32 factors, stated scoring the game-winner over James’ crew was a full circle second as a result of he idolized James as a child.
“He’s been one among my favourite gamers for a while. It’s only a pleasure to go in opposition to him,” Murray stated. “He makes you suppose through the recreation. He’s nonetheless a bodily dominant man on the market, however he makes you consider the sport, the reads, the passes. His timing is nice. He’s tremendous athletic on prime of that. It’s a pleasure to go in opposition to him and get the win, too.”
Whereas Murray strikes on in hopes of one other NBA championship, James heads dwelling with loads of questions this offseason.
The 39-year-old, who simply accomplished his twenty first season, stays among the many league’s greatest gamers. He averaged 25.7 factors, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals a recreation whereas capturing a career-high 41% from 3-point vary.
James signed a two-year, $99 million contract final summer time with the Lakers that features a participant choice for subsequent season. If he decides to say no that remaining yr, he’ll develop into a free agent and may signal with any crew. James is anticipated to return for a minimum of another season — he could make $51.4 million in doing so — however it’s not a assure, particularly after his feedback Monday evening.
He should resolve by the June 29 deadline.
“I simply wish to get dwelling to the household, actually,” James stated postgame. “Considered one of my boys is attempting to resolve if he’s going to enter the draft or return to highschool. I’ve one other child that’s enjoying AAU ball. My daughter is enjoying volleyball, and my spouse is doing so many nice issues. So it’s about household proper now.”
James’ son Bronny declared for the NBA draft earlier this month. He nonetheless has faculty eligibility if he withdraws his identify by June 16. A 6-foot-4 guard, Bronny averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per recreation as a freshman at USC.
He isn’t anticipated to be a first-round choice, however a crew may choose him with hopes of luring his legendary father.
“I acquired to be on the ground with Bronny,” LeBron James informed ESPN in 2023. “Both in the identical uniform or a matchup in opposition to him … I ask him what his aspirations (are) and he says he desires to play within the NBA. So if he desires to do it, he’s acquired to place within the work. I’m right here already, so I’m simply ready on him.”
