James, 39, who concluded his 21st season with 30 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in Los Angeles’ season-ending defeat to the Nuggets, stated that his first priority will be his family before turning his attention to USA Basketball’s training camp in advance of this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
When asked how he would go about making his decision regarding Year 22, James said, “To be honest, I don’t have an answer. I haven’t really thought about it.”
He declared that he will eventually discuss “what’s best for my career” with his family, Rich Paul, his agent, and themselves.
James responded, “I’m not going to answer that,” when asked if he thought about the possibility that Monday’s game may be his final one with the Lakers.
James can choose to become an unrestricted free agent or opt into the $51.4 million final year of his Lakers contract by June 29.
Beyond James, the biggest unknown for Los Angeles in the upcoming season is Darvin Ham’s job status as coach. After the first-round departure, Ham’s job is very much in peril, and the organization will decide on his coaching future in the next few days, sources informed ESPN.
Ham was asked to consider his two seasons as the Lakers’ sideline manager.
“That’s a fantastic question, but maybe at some time I’ll give you an answer,” replied Ham, whose head was all over the place at the moment. But I’ll tell you what, it’s been an absolutely terrible two years. It’s been an incredible two years, sitting in this chair. Many excellent things were accomplished, but in the end, you want to take home the grand prize. I’ve experienced that firsthand. That was a feeling I experienced a few times.
Thus, you want to use every effort to avoid and sustain this sense of defeat that we are currently experiencing. Thus, once more, let me manage what I can control, keep developing, and ideally become a better coach as a result.”
In Game 5, Anthony Davis, who has a contract with the Lakers through 2027–2028, scored eight points on eleven attempts and pulled down fifteen rebounds. According to Davis, who spoke with ESPN, he managed to play with a stinger injury to his left shoulder that left his left arm hanging from the socket and numb.
When the time is appropriate, Davis said he will check in with the four-time NBA champion and offer James some leeway in his choice.
