What is behind LeBron James talking about a "potential retirement" and U-turn ? | NBA

With his comments following the Lakers’ season-ending loss to the Nuggets in the Western Conference final, LeBron James indirectly introduced the topic of a potential retirement with vague, cryptic comments.

The 38-year-old never specifically mentioned the word “retirement,” but James was measured with his responses as the night of May 22 — and the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Nuggets — stretched into the early morning of May 23, telling reporters that he’s “got a lot to think about” and reiterating the same separately to ESPN.

But, for now, it appears the belief is that James will return and “fulfill his contract” with the Lakers in 2023-24, according to an ESPN story that cited an anonymous source close to James.