An NBA insider is making a clear connection between LeBron James' future and one specific thing that will happen this postseason.

James' contract is about to end, and people are increasingly talking about him retiring. One possible outcome has come to light, and June could be the month that decides for him.

Brett Siegel talked about what he thinks would make LeBron leave on Clutch Hoops.

"This isn't necessarily reporting, just my feeling in talking with other people around the league is that if the Lakers do go on that magical run and they go to the NBA Finals and they somehow win the Larry O'Brien trophy, I think that would be it for LeBron," Siegel said.

"I think that he would retire on a high note, go out as a champion. I think that's just something to kind of keep an eye on and keep in the back of our minds."

That feeling doesn't come from nowhere. LeBron is averaging 20.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds on 55.3% shooting at age 41. These numbers show that he can still play at a high level. But staying level doesn't answer the bigger question: is the grind still worth it?

In light of the circumstances of his time with the Lakers, that question is harder to ignore. His two-year, $101.3 million deal ends this summer, and reports say his relationship with the front office is getting worse.

The natural off-ramp is getting closer. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, who are both on the same team, have said they want to keep him, but the organization is a different story.

Legacy estimation is what makes a championship retirement so interesting. If LeBron James wins another championship, he will match Kobe Bryant with five total rings. At 41, that would be an impressive accomplishment.

LeBron and the Lakers face their toughest test yet after Doncic scare

That dream of winning the championship took a big hit on Thursday night. Oklahoma City beat the Lakers 139-96, and this wasn't just a bad loss. It happened against a team that had been doing well, with a 15-2 record in March. Then Doncic hurt his leg in the third quarter, and everything changed.

LeBron wasn't worried, though. "Health is wealth. We're already out with Marcus [Smart] right now, and now Luka [got injured]. We don't know what the timetable is, obviously, but we'll see. We'll see what happens."

LeBron quickly shut down the question about whether the team's confidence was shaken. "Nothing is rattled. This is one game. It's part of an NBA season, and it's the defending champions, we get it. We understand."

But the real question is, what will LeBron's role be like without Doncic? "I don't know what the role would be asked of me. It'll be an adjustment, but we'll see." 

The Lakers are running out of time to figure things out at 50-27.

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Utsav Gupta