LeBron James still does not know what the future will hold for him. The Los Angeles Lakers star said as much after the team was officially eliminated from the NBA Playoffs on Monday night, dropping a nerve-wrecking 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4.
Some have already begun to wonder whether that was LeBron's last game in purple and gold. It is a fair question to ask. However, the reverse is also just as justifiable of a topic to ponder. Why would James want to leave now?
The Lakers are not perfect, far from it. That much was crystal clear when they got swept by the Thunder in the second-round. However, that was also not the Los Angeles team that appeared to turn the corner back in March. This version of LA was missing their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic.
Perhaps Doncic does not close the gap between the Lakers and Thunder all by himself. An offseason retool to better support the main cast certainly could, though. If James taps out before Rob Pelinka and company could make their all-in push, regret could quickly follow.
Lakers are much closer to a title than Thunder sweep suggests
Before Game 4, Dave McMenamin stepped up on ESPN to talk about what he believed will be the most important in James' upcoming decision. The Lakers insider cited championship contention as the motivating factor.
"Speaking to sources close to LeBron James all season long, they have insisted to me that LeBron has not figured out what he wants to do beyond this season," McMenamin said. "... Number one thing that is guiding his decisions — being able to compete for a championship in whatever time is left."
If McMenamin is right, the Lakers are the best bet of the teams that make practical sense.
Outside shots for where LeBron may finish his career have included the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks. Should those prove to be as far-fetched as they seem, this would become a three-horse race pretty quickly.
That competition would theoretically feature the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors should be the furthest from securing James of those teams. Sure, playing with Stephen Curry is a fun thought, but Golden State has struggled to field a truly competitive team over the last few seasons. Winning a title in the Bay Area is a tough sell as practical.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, are much closer to championship contention. They are also the franchise that would be dear to James' heart, in theory. There is just one massive problem with Cleveland — money.
There are very few, if any, real ways for the Cavaliers to acquire James on much more than a veteran minimum without gutting the championship core that would be the selling point of a return. LeBron would need to sacrifice big-time.
That brings things back to Los Angeles.
The Lakers can pay LeBron a fair wage, relative to their main competitors, even if they ask him for a pay cut. They are also on the cusp of a real breakthrough, and are only positioned to improve during the upcoming offseason.
Riding things out with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and company could be the best chance to win one more time before all is said and done for James. If LeBron leaves without seeing things through with the Lakers, it may prove a massive final what-if in his career.
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