LeBron James Addresses Future After Lakers Elimination

After the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers on May 11, Lakers superstar LeBron James instantly faced his uncertain future.

James, 41, just completed his 23rd season in the league, and reporters naturally asked him about his future following the 115–110 defeat. He came prepared for the questions.

“I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I’ve answered questions. I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming,'” James told reporters afterward. “My future … I don’t know … this is obviously still fresh from obviously losing.”

James helped the Lakers go 53–29 this season, and he led the team past the Houston Rockets in the first round in six games. Defending champions the Thunder were simply too much for the Lakers, who were also missing Luka Doncic due to a hamstring injury.

“I left everything I could on the floor,” James said. “I can leave the floor saying, [expletive], even though I hate losing obviously, I was locked in on what we needed to do. … I tried to make sure our guys were locked in on what we needed to do throughout the postseason, throughout 10 games.”

James helped the Lakers stay on course early in the playoffs without Doncic, as the Lakers built a 3–0 series lead. Los Angeles closed out the series on the road in Game 6 after dropping two straight.

Oklahoma City then beat the Lakers handily in the first three games of the series by 18 or more points each time. James scored 24 points in Game 4 as the Lakers pushed the Thunder to the limit for the first time in the series.

“We fell a little short obviously, but I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure,” James said.

It ended James’s eighth season with the Lakers, the longest he has played anywhere in the NBA. James’ career began as the No. 1 pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, and he played there for seven seasons before a four-year stint with the Miami Heat. He then played for the Cavs again for four seasons before his tenure with the Lakers.

James has a two-year $101.35 million contract with the Lakers that is set to expire, and he will become an unrestricted free agent. He also has a player option to exercise with the Lakers if he chooses.

It’s possible he could play elsewhere instead of retiring, or re-sign with the Lakers. Los Angeles is $92.2 million over the salary cap going into next season, so there is consideration on that front.

James has also been playing with his son, Bronny James, for the past two seasons. The Lakers took the younger James with a second-round pick in 2024, and he played in 10 games over his first two seasons in the league.

“I think for me it’s about the process. If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena 5 and a half hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play,” LeBron James said.

“Showing up to practices, 11 o’clock practice, I’m there at 8 o’clock preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in. So I think for me, I’ve always been in love with the process … so I think that would be a big factor.”

James played 60 games this season and contributed 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. He stepped it up in the playoffs with 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Those don’t match his career numbers of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, but James indicated the drive is still there. James has one of the most storied careers in league history with four NBA titles, 22 All-Star appearances, four MVPs, and a slew of records.

“I’ve done it all. I’ve seen it all,” James said. “Just being able to compete and trying to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”

That’s despite not being the main go-to player on his own team behind Doncic and Austin Reaves. James expressed his willingness to embrace that fact.

“I was put into some positions I never played in my career … actually, in my life. I’ve never been a third option in my life,” he said. “So, to be able to thrive in that role for that period of time and then have to step back into the role that I’ve been accustomed with over my career … and being able to thrive … that was pretty cool for me at this stage in my career.”

Regarding his career plans, James said he wants to “recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them” in the immediate future.