I wrote this column while watching the Los Angeles Lakers get soundly defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in second round playoff action. In my eyes, the Thunder will dispose of the Lakers rather quickly. Then comes the question.
Will LeBron James re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, sign with another team or retire at the age of 41? James, of late, keeps saying he does not know.
Multiple sources said that James might forgo a farewell tour and retire after playoff action. There is also a chance that James, using his own words, may take his talents elsewhere.
If James leaves the Lakers, then the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly plausible destinations. According to team and league sources, the Lakers have not closed the door on James returning next season.
LeBron James
As has been noted elsewhere, another important variable is money. The Lakers will be almost $50 million under the salary cap, but they’d like to re-sign Austin Reaves and add depth to the roster. Is James ready to take a pay cut, or does he still want the max?
You have to think that James will only leave the Lakers if he thinks he has a real shot at winning a title at his next destination.
James will turn 42 before the end of this calendar year but can clearly still perform at a high level. This season, he appeared in 60 games and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game. His son, Bronny, plays for the Lakers and is signed through next season
Returning to Los Angeles seems to make more sense. But who knows? You would think LeBron knows and is just not going to tell us any time soon.
