Fresh off just the second First Round elimination in his career, four-time NBA MVP LeBron James has at least one major decision to make about his playing future.
Amid another round of speculation that James could consider retirement this offseason, he at least has to make a decision on his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. James has until Jun. 29 to pick up the option, which will keep him with the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more season. However, should he decline the option, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
LeBron, Lakers Mum on 4-Time MVP’s Looming Contract Decision
Following their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, James was asked a series of questions regarding his approach to the offseason after wrapping up his 21st season. As expected, the 39-year-old was coy about his summer plans. He would only confirm that he’ll sit down with his agent and family to decide “what’s best for [his] career,” per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“I don’t have an answer…,” James says. “I haven’t given it much thought.”
When asked directly if he had any thought that Game 5 was his last time suiting up with the Lakers, James declined to answer.
“Uhhh, I’m not going to answer that.”
Was there any thought that tonight was your last game with the Lakers?
LeBron James: “I’m not going to answer that.” pic.twitter.com/tOySUdsmbI
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 30, 2024
However, this time it seemed a bit less like him not having an answer than not wanting to give one. To that point, L.A. has been bounced from the First Round or missed the playoffs completely in three of the last four seasons. For an aging NBA legend such as James, that’s not a very attractive situation to go back to.
With that said, the Lakers are in the dark about James’ plans themselves.
Per McMenamin, “… As recently as last week, team officials still did not know the league’s all-time leading scorer’s plans of what he will do with his contract.”
In and of itself, that information doesn’t mean James won’t be back with the Lakers for a seventh season. It certainly doesn’t guarantee that he’ll return or re-sign either. However, it does speak to the possibility that James will take his time with the decision.
Family Matters
On the heels of another disappointing playoff exit, he’ll need time to decompress. Taking a step back gives him the best view of his tenure with the Lakers and what to expect if he remains in SoCal. Spending time with the family he adores allows him to put his career timeline even further in perspective.
That said, the type of decision that James is making at 39 is a bit different than one he would’ve made at 29 or 19. While family has always been important to James, it’s even more so now. When he picks up or declines his player option, it’ll be with them in mind as much as his legacy.
Would he want to uproot his family while his nine-year-old daughter and teenage son are still enrolled in school. Already on the road for half the year, would he want to leave them in L.A. while he takes up residence in another city for work? While it has nothing to do with his chances of winning a championship, James could choose to stay just because he doesn’t want to make his family suffer for his ambitions.
Of course, as supportive as his wife, children, and mother are, they’ll follow James anywhere he goes. All he has to do is say the word.
