LeBron considers next move

LeBron James is out of the playoffs and now speculation gathers on whether he will leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

James has just completed his record-setting 23rd season after an unceremonious 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of a second-round sweep of the Lakers. He was noncommittal afterward about whether he will continue playing in LA or elsewhere.

The 41-year-old legend played 40 minutes Monday and finished with 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds as the Lakers led in the final minute against the defending NBA champions but could not close the victory in the Western Conference semi-finals.

“I left everything I could on the floor,” said James. “And obviously we fell a little short, but I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure.”

James said he plans to “recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them” over the next several weeks to inform his decision. And he will reflect on whether he wants to continue to dedicate so much of his life to the sport for a 24th season or beyond.

He has a remarkable work ethic but admitted that it is getting more difficult to motivate himself to the endless hours of training, gym and travelling.

For the first time in his eight seasons with the Lakers, James enters the offseason without a contract or a contract option and will be an unrestricted free agent.

He was LA’s highest-paid player in 2025-26, making $52.6 million. He was named to the All-Star team and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in the regular season.

He was better in the playoffs, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds in leading the Lakers to a first-round victory over the Houston Rockets in six games, despite Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) being side lined and Austin Reaves missing the first four games.