LeBron’s Retirement Leverage Leaves Lakers in a Tricky Position

Los Angeles would obviously like its superstar to return next season. But the cost to build a roster that satisfies him may be too much to stomach.

LOS ANGELES – Dennis Schroder can’t see it.

“[He’s] still got the juice,” said Schroder.

D’Angelo Russell isn’t buying it.

“He has a lot more left in the tank,” said Russell.

Darvin Ham joked that he could at least understand it.

“Coming off a loss like that,” said Ham, “I think I was ready to retire.”

Sorry, Denver, but the biggest story to come out of the Nuggets’ series-clinching Game 4 win was the revelation that LeBron James, (arguably) the greatest player in NBA history, was thinking about hanging ‘em up. After dropping a few not-so-subtle hints at the postgame press conference (“I’ve got a lot to think about,” James said), James confirmed to ESPN that he will contemplate retirement.

“I’ve got to think about it,” James said.

LeBron’s cryptic answers after the Lakers’ season-ending loss to the Nuggets on Monday night quickly moved the focus to the future for Los Angeles :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports

A James retirement would be both puzzling and understandable. James isn’t what he was a decade earlier, when he was collecting MVP trophies and steamrolling opponents in the playoffs. But at 38, he remains dominant. His numbers this postseason (24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists) were outstanding. In Game 4, James scored 40 points in 48 minutes. Down the stretch he hounded Jamal Murray and took back-to-back charges from Nikola Jokic.

“Staggering,” said Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.

And exhausting. This has been the most taxing season of James’s 20-year career. The Lakers started the season 0–5. Then 2–10. The Russell Westbrook experiment continued to be a flop and constant attention on it sucked the life out of the locker room. A major foot injury cost James a month of the season. He averaged 39 minutes per game in the postseason. Against Denver, it jumped to 43.

“It was a very challenging season for me, for our ballclub,” James said. “And obviously we know whatever went on early on or whatever the case may be. It was cool, a pretty cool ride.”

But is it over? On Tuesday, Ham and Pelinka were diplomatic.

“LeBron has earned the right to do whatever he wants to do, make whatever choice,” Ham said.

Added Pelinka, “LeBron has given as much to the game of basketball as anyone who’s ever played. When you do that, you earn the right to decide if you’re going to give more.”

There’s more. A lot more. The fire still burns inside James. The competitiveness. We know this. He’s said this. Last December, Schroder revealed that James told him he plans to play until he is 45. In February, after breaking the NBA’s scoring record, James said he “for sure” could play a couple more years. James has repeatedly declared his intention to play alongside his son, Bronny, for one season. Bronny will suit up for USC next season and will be draft eligible in 2024.

“I love to play the game,” James said. “I love to compete. I love to be out there for my guys, my teammates, whoever I have that particular year.”

There could be another reason James is hinting at retirement: Leverage. James has one year remaining on his Lakers contract. It’s likely he wants L.A. to do whatever it takes to maximize it. James wants a winning team around him, draft picks and young players be damned. The threat of retirement could be a tool James uses to makes sure they do it.

Rumors are already swirling that the Lakers could look to acquire Kyrie Irving or Trae Young to pair with James and Anthony Davis, though that’d be at odds with a desire to retain the team’s youngsters :: Ashley Landis/AP

The Lakers want to build a winner around James. But not at any cost. Basketball will be played in Los Angeles after James leaves. Like it or not, the Lakers have to be prepared for it. L.A. already forked over a first-round pick before last season’s trade deadline. They may not have an appetite to give away any more.

Which could present a conundrum. On Tuesday, Pelinka made it clear the team intends to build around its young players. “I’d say this resoundingly clear, our intentions are to keep our core of young guys together,” Pelinka said. He called roster continuity a “high priority.” That means new deals for free agents-to-be Russell, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. That means most of any available cap space will be gone.

“We feel like we've got special players in the locker room that enjoy playing with each other,” Pelinka said. “We know there's more growth and improvement in that group, especially if we get a training camp together.”

But what if James wants something different? What if James, tired of Russell’s erratic shot making, wants an upgrade? Kyrie Irving was sitting courtside on Monday. Irving and James have a long relationship. James knows he can win a championship with Irving as his co-star. Signing Irving would require the Lakers to gut the roster. Russell would be gone. Hachimura, too. Reaves could become too expensive. And L.A. would have to tie itself to the unpredictable Irving, who isn’t signing for less than a three-year deal.

It's difficult to believe James will retire. He’s too good, too competitive and too steadfast in his belief that he remains one of the NBA’s top talents. A few weeks away from the game will be reenergizing. But James has power. The Lakers need him. Everything falls apart without him. If Pelinka believes James could walk, he will do whatever he can to bring him back.

The Lakers’ season is over. Now the real games begin.