After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for the second year in a row on Monday night, it appears that LeBron James could be ready to test free agency this off-season and not opt out of the final year of his contract, especially given the answers to postgame questions.
When asked about his future with the Lakers and whether he thinks Monday’s game was the last he played in Los Angeles, James said, “I’m not going to answer that.”
James played in Los Angeles for six seasons, reaching the postseason four times in that span and winning the NBA title during the 2019-20 season.
If he opts for free agency, it would be the first time the 39-year-old has been a free agent since 2018 — something ESPN’s Brian Windhorst seems to think will happen after appearing on Rise on Tuesday morning.
“I think LeBron intends to get out of his contract and become a free agent for the first time since 2018,” Windhorst said.
However, Windhorst also believes that James intends to remain in Los Angeles and become a free agent.”This will put some pressure on the Lakers.”
Of course, the other thing to consider about where James might end up is what happens to his son and USC basketball player, Bronny Jameswho entered the NBA draft.
LeBron has been talking for some time about wanting to play with his son in the NBA before he retires, so wherever the young James gets drafted (if at all) could also dictate where he ends up.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are open to signing Bronny to fulfill LeBron’s wish.
James has until June 29 to opt out of the final remaining year of his contract with Los Angeles for $51.4 million or become an unrestricted free agent.
