LeBron James Remains Undecided on NBA Future After Lakers’ Season Ends With Sweep to Thunder

LeBron James’s record 23rd season has come to a close after the Thunder took Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, 115–110, on Monday night and completed the sweep of the Lakers. James had to steer the ship for a good portion of Los Angeles’s postseason run.

Luka Dončić wasn’t able to return and Austin Reaves came back late in the first round, but James was able to guide the Lakers through the opening round against the Rockets before the dreaded matchup with Oklahoma City. In the final game of Year 23, James had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the 147th playoff double-double in his career. That passed Wilt Chamberlain (146) and trails only Tim Duncan (164) and Magic Johnson (157) for the most playoff double-doubles in NBA history. On the season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game—still performing at a high level even after he turned 41 on Dec. 30.

The Lakers’ playoff exit brings more uncertainty with James’s future, at least to the public eye. Throughout this season, he has been open about the expiration date hovering over his illustrious career. He hasn’t made a decision yet, but he can go a number of ways now that the Lakers’ season is over.

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer with the right to choose his next steps. He could re-sign with L.A., where he has spent the past eight seasons. He could return home to Cleveland for a third stint and retirement tour with the Cavaliers, or even join a new team like the Warriors. Or, he could retire.

A sudden retirement would be the shocking option, as there hasn’t been an NBA without James since the start of this millennium. But, considering James has said he doesn’t know what the future holds, we must leave the option on the table. No retirement tour seems unlikely after James’s record-setting career, but it may be how he wants to go out.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Dan Woike reported last month that the notion James would want a farewell tour is false, citing sources who have heard that directly from James.

Considering this, there is a real possibility that Monday night’s game against the Thunder was James’s last. Maybe not a strong possibility, but a possibility nonetheless.

LeBron James still uncertain on his future after Thunder sweep Lakers

The big question after the Lakers’ loss was what’s next for James. It was unlikely there would be any immediate answers with the end of the season so fresh, and he stayed true to that uncertainty when asked in his postgame news conference.

“I don’t know, it’s still fresh from losing. I don’t know what the future holds for me as it stands right now tonight,” he said. “Like I said last year after we lost to Minnesota, I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them, spend some time with them.

“When the time comes, you guys will know whatever I decide to do.”

The decision is in James’s hands. As we saw over this season, he still has plenty left in the tank and can adapt to a new role fairly seamlessly. It would be a surprise if Monday night’s loss was the last game of James’s career, but he’s still keeping that door open. The other door is hunting for one more championship and trying to go out on top. We’ll find out in due time, but for now, the possibility of a 24th season is increasingly alive.

To relive the final game of James’s 23rd season on a minute-by-minute basis, you can check out Sports Illustrated’s updates below:

More NBA Playoffs From Sports Illustrated

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