LeBron James" future with the Los Angeles Lakers is currently up in the air.
James has a player option for the 2024-25 season, meaning he can choose to stay with the Lakers for another year at a hefty $51.4 million or decline the option and become a free agent.
After the Lakers" first-round playoff exit, James remained cryptic about his decision. When asked if it could have been his last game with the team, he simply said, “I"m not going to answer that."
He added:
“I"ll sit down with Rich [Paul], my agent, and sit down with my family and see what"s best — what"s best for my career," James said. “So, we"ll cross that when we need to."
The Lakers" disappointing season (47-35 record) might push James to explore options with teams that are more competitive and closer to championship contention.
However, LeBron has also expressed a desire to play with his eldest son, Bronny James, who might enter the NBA draft in 2024. The Lakers could be an attractive option if they are considered a contender by then. So, that could be a reason for staying.
LeBron James performance in NBA 2023-2024 Season
LeBron James had a strong season statistically for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023-2024 NBA season, despite the team"s struggles.
LeBron averaged an impressive 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. There were flashes of brilliance throughout the season. A notable example was his incredible performance on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2024, against the Brooklyn Nets. He erupted for a season-high 40 points on exceptional shooting (13-17 from the field, including 9 three-pointers on 9 attempts) along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds, leading the Lakers to a 116-104 victory.
However, the Lakers as a team did not fare well. Injuries and roster inconsistencies plagued them throughout the season. In March, LeBron was placed on a minutes restriction due to these issues and ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the season. This limited his impact on the playoff race. Despite his strong individual performance, the Lakers finished the season ninth in the Western Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
