LeBron declines to say if he thought Game 5 could be last with Lakers

ByDAVE MCMENAMIN
April 30, 2024, 1:59 AM

DENVER -- LeBron James said he is undecided on his NBA future following the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-106 loss in Game 5 on their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

James, 39, who finished his 21st season with 30 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in L.A.'s season-ending loss to the Nuggets, said his immediate focus will be on his family and then his sights will shift to training camp for USA Basketball ahead of the Olympics in Paris this summer.

Asked how he would approach his decision about Year 22, James replied, "I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought."

He said he would eventually sit down with his agent, Rich Paul, and family and evaluate "what's best for my career."

"We'll cross that when we need to," he added. 

When asked if he considered if Monday could be his last game he ever plays with the Lakers, James said, "I'm not going to answer that."

James has until June 29 to either opt into the final year of his contract with the Lakers for $51.4 million or become an unrestricted free agent.