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NBA impact: LeBron James leaves his future up in the air and opens the door to retirement: 'I have a lot to think about'

2023-05-23T12:39:53.203Z

Highlights: The NBA's all-time leading scorer hints at retirement after the loss to the Denver Nuggets. "I have a lot to think about. For me personally, to move forward with basketball," he said. The 38-year-old has two more seasons of contract with the Lakers but has an option to become a free agent after the 2024 season. The Lakers lost 113-111 to the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas. The series was the first time in NBA history that two teams from the same conference had met in the Finals.


The league's all-time leading scorer hinted that the loss to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals may have marked the end of his successful career.


After being eliminated Monday in the NBA Western Conference finals, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James sowed doubts about his immediate future and, according to ESPN, would be considering a possible retirement.

At the press conference, the NBA's all-time leading scorer sidestepped several questions about his upcoming season with the Lakers before launching a cryptic message. We'll see what happens from now on. I don't know. I have a lot to think about, to be honest. I have a lot to think about. For me personally, to move forward with basketball, I have a lot to think about," James said.


Later, an ESPN reporter reported that James, who was aiming to reach his eleventh Finals and fight for his fifth ring, told him he is considering not playing next year. TNT reporter Chris Haynes said on Twitter that James is "considering" retirement, citing unnamed league sources.


LeBron James leaves the court after being swept with the Lakers by the Nuggets. Photo: AP

LeBron lived a bitter closing of his twentieth season in the NBA with the defeat of his Lakers 113-111 against the Nuggets, who ended the series by a resounding 4-0.At 38 years old, James tried to avoid elimination by all means achieving 40 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists without resting a single minute.


In the press conference, the forward expressed his frustration at the defeat although he acknowledged the superiority of the Nuggets. I haven't even started thinking about next year. We had a great run (in the playoffs) but we fell short of our goal. Our goal is always to win championships. That's what this franchise is all about. It's disappointing," he said.


LeBron James throws the ball past Aaron Gordon's mark. Photo: Reuters

The Lakers were one of the surprises of these playoffs after qualifying in the playoffs and eliminating the Grizzlies, second place in the West, and the Warriors, reigning champions. I think (the season) was fine. I don't like to say it was a successful year because I don't play for anything other than winning championships at this point in my career. I'm not excited about reaching the Conference Finals. I've done it many times. And it's not fun for me not to be able to be part of the Finals," he said.


LeBron James has two more seasons of contract with the Lakers but in the second he has an option to become a free agent. The player has always stated his intention to remain in the league until playing with his son Bronny, who can be selected from the 2024 Draft.


Source: AFP

See also

Denver reached the NBA Finals for the first time after sweeping LeBron James' Lakers

Jack Nicholson, 86, made a rare public appearance at an LA Lakers game

Source: clarin

All news articles on 2023-05-23

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