LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, of course, would have wanted a better ending to their 2025-26 playoff campaign. But for James personally, he isn’t looking at this year as a disappointment.

The OKC Thunder swept the Lakers in the second round, that too, in front of their fans. But to the Lakers' credit, they survived in the postseason much longer than anyone expected them to. Whatever success the Lakers had in the postseason, a lot of credit goes to LeBron for quickly stepping up in dire times. 

“We fell a little short, obviously, but I'm not looking at my year as a disappointment, that's for damn sure,” LeBron told reporters after Game 4 loss. “Especially, [because] I was put into some positions that I've never played in my career before, actually in my life.”

The Lakers took out the Houston Rockets in the opening round despite being heavily shorthanded. James, who played most of the year as the team’s third option, quickly had to take his team’s leadership role and led his team through the first round despite being the underdogs.

“I've never been a third option in my life. So, to be able to thrive in that role for that period of time, and then have to step back into the role that I've been accustomed with over my career, over my life of playing the sport, and be able to thrive under that, and then just my teammates allowing me to, lead them under extreme circumstances, that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career,” James added. 

James remained a focal point throughout the postseason run. He led the Lakers in this playoff with 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field in 10 games. 

Now that his 23rd season is over, the conversations about his retirement have started again.

LeBron James opens up about his NBA future

There is no certainty if fans are going to see another year from LeBron. While there is hope that he will return for at least one more year, his last contract with the Lakers makes his future even more uncertain.

After the series loss to the Thunder, James once again addressed his future. The Lakers star had the same answer he had months ago. James is still undecided if he will come back for the 24th season.

"I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I've answered questions. I don't think I've come out and been like, 'Oh, retirement is coming,'" James said. "With my future, I don't know, honestly. It's obviously still fresh from losing [the series]. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me."

If this were the last time we saw LeBron James on a basketball court, then the last memory of him as a basketball player wouldn’t fit his legacy. The King might have to return for one more year.

Do you think we have seen the last of LeBron James in the NBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Koushik Biswas