LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers got swept out of the playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, but the NBA world is still talking about him this week amid a game seven matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

Following his Los Angeles Lakers getting swept in the Western Conference Finals, James told reporters he was contemplating retirement. After the Game 4 loss, James floated the possibility of retirement before the 2023-24 season.

“We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.
The rumors will likely continue to persist until he decides to announce what his future plans are. As a result, pretty much every single thing James says or does over the offseason will be noted by fans.

On Monday, he caused quite the stir when he dropped a rather cryptic social media post on Instagram.

In an Instagram Story, the four-time MVP pulled a lyric from Jay-Z’s “What More Can I Say” that seemingly teased the idea of his retiring:

It is going to be a long offseason for LeBron and the Lakers fan base. Without a 38-year-old LeBron, the Lakers aren’t even close to being a playoff team, let alone a contender for a title.

Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported last week that “there’s widespread skepticism” James will walk away when he’s signed for two years and $97 million. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported something similar the next day, writing how “a source close to James … believes the Lakers star will indeed be back for season No. 21 and fulfill his contract.”

Until he makes his decision, this probably won’t be the last time James uses social media to entertain speculation.

James has said in the past he wouldn’t hang up his sneakers until he plays alongside his son, Bronny.