After the Lakers were knocked out of the postseason on Monday, four-time NBA champion LeBron James hinted that he might move away from basketball.
James just finished his 20th NBA season and delivered an impressive 40-point performance during the Lakers’ Game 4 loss in the Western Conference finals.
«I don’t like to say it’s a successful year because I’m not playing for anything but winning championships at this point in my career,» James told reporters after the game.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 16, 2018 in Washington, DC (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
«You know, I don’t like to make a conference appearance (finals). I have, a lot. And it’s not fun for me not to be able to be a part of getting to the Finals. … But we’ll see. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens in the future I don’t know. I don’t know. I have a lot to think about to be honest.»
LAKERS’ ROB PELINKA, DARVIN HAM HOPING LEBRON JAMES WILL NOT GIVE UP
Aside from the fact that James is still one of the best players in the league, he has a significant financial incentive to continue his NBA career.
In August, James signed a two-year, $97 million contract extension with the Lakers. The agreement goes into effect next season.
According to Sportrac, James will earn around $47 million if he plays in the 2023-24 season. He could play with a player option for the 2024-25 season, which would pay him more than $50 million.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half of a game on December 4, 2022 in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
So if he were to pull out this offseason, he would lose almost $100 million in earnings.
If the Lakers wanted to avoid paying James’ salary, the team could opt out of the deal and trade him. But any team that acquires James through a trade would be required to receive a 15% increase in salary.
Team West’s Bronny James (6) talks with Los Angeles Lakers’ Lebron James after the 2023 McDonald’s High School Boys All-American Game at the Toyota Center on March 28, 2023 in Houston. (Alex Bierens deHaan/Getty Images)
James could still play with the Lakers next season and then decline his player option and enter free agency in the summer of 2024.
James’ eldest son, Bronny, will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2024. James has publicly expressed his desire to play alongside his son in the NBA.
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If James decides to continue playing in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ front office will have to make several key roster decisions to give the NBA’s all-time leading scorer a chance to compete for a fifth championship.