LeBron James may have played his last NBA game in 20 years and is considering retirement, according to Tuesday morning bomb threats.
The NBA superstar made headlines with his comments after the Lakers were beaten by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, with the legendary forward admitting “I have a lot to think about.”
And now Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports that James is indeed considering calling it a day, and if he continues, he’s not sure it will be with the Lakers.
James has two years and $97 million left on his current contract, but the final year is a player option and he could choose to forego the money and call it a day.
Speaking after the Lakers’ loss, which bombed them 4-0 to the Nuggets, James said, “I’ve got a lot to think about. Just personally, as I move on to basketball, I have a lot to think about.”
LeBron James is reportedly considering retirement after Lakers were dumped from the playoffs
It was a tough end to the 2022-2023 season for James, who has now been in the league for 20 years
¿I have a lot to think about¿ Personally because I am moving on from the game of basketball¿ I have a lot to think about.¿
LeBron considers retirement??? ¿¿
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 23, 2023
If he retired, LeBron would leave the field with the all-time scoring record having overtaken Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earlier in the season.
He would also lead the playoff scoring records, having opened a 2,036-point gap between himself and closest rival Michael Jordan.
James has played 20 seasons in the NBA, starting with seven years in Cleveland after being drafted first overall by the Cavaliers in 2003.
He then went to the Miami Heat, where he won his first two NBA titles, before returning to Cleveland to win his third.
In 2018, he moved to the Lakers and won his fourth ring in a Covid-affected 2020.
In addition to the titles, he also has four NBA Finals MVP awards and is a four-time NBA MVP.
At 38 years old, his retirement is certainly looming, but it would be a surprise for LeBron to call it a day now, with his son Bronny entering the league soon.
LeBron has previously made it very clear that he wants to play alongside his oldest son, who recently committed to playing college basketball for USC.
James and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept Monday night by the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets
Earlier in 2023, James Kareem overtook Abdul-Jabbar (pictured) for the all-time record
The superstar may have softened his stance when he revealed that he would support Bronny even if he didn’t want them to play together in the NBA as a father-son duo.
“I did what I had to do in this league, and my son is going to make his journey,” he said after the Lakers’ Game 3 loss on Saturday.
And whatever his journey, whatever his journey looks like, he’s going to do what’s best for him. And as his father and his mother, Savannah, and his brother and sister, we’re going to support him in whatever he decides to do. So just because that’s my aspiration or my goal doesn’t mean it’s his. And I think that’s absolutely okay.’
LeBron hinted that he was unsure about his NBA future Monday night when he gave a cryptic answer to questions about his life on the court following the Nuggets’ elimination of LA.
“We will see what happens in the future. But I don’t know,’ James said. ‘Don’t know. I have a lot to think about, to be honest. I have a lot to think about,” said James after scoring 40 points as the Lakers dropped Game 4 to the Nuggets, officially sweeping their season.
“Just face-to-face with me to get on with the basketball game…I have a lot to think about.”
The future Hall of Famer now heads into the off-season weighing both his future with the Lakers and a potential 21st NBA season.
He said, “It’s been a really challenging season for me, for our ball club… it’s been a pretty cool ride, but I don’t know… I don’t get a kick out of showing up at a conference. I’ve done it many times and it’s not fun for me not to be there to make it to the final.’
LeBron has previously made it very clear that he wants to play alongside his son Bronny (R).
LeBron hinted that Monday night after LA’s elimination, he was unsure about his future in the NBA
LeBron still had a strong season, his 20th in the league and earning a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
The 19-time All-Star averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game as he rallied the Lakers from a 2-10 start to take them to the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, LA has $29.6 million in practical cap space, according to Spotrac, going into the 2023 season.
There are currently only six players officially signed with the Lakers for the 2023-24 season, including James, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba.