When the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Lakers in Game 4 of the second round on Monday, it could be LeBron James' final time in purple and gold. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and if he decides to continue playing, it could be outside of Los Angeles.
Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported in mid-April that the Lakers "have not closed the door on James returning next season," citing the run (subscription required) that he went on with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in March. One would assume that's still the case, but you never know.
The Lakers were never a real threat to the Thunder (and that would've been the case if they'd been healthy), but getting swept could still push LeBron to leave Los Angeles this summer. If his top priority is winning another championship, OKC's domination could serve as further proof that his best chance of doing so is in the East.
Could a return to the Cavaliers be in the cards? What about the Knicks? Would he be willing to take a pay cut to go to New York? Would they even be interested in making that happen, given the run they're on right now?
Will Thunder-Lakers Game 4 be LeBron's last with LA?
As soon as Los Angeles landed Luka Dončić at the beginning of last year, the team has been all-in on building around him. It has prioritized creating the financial flexibility to do so this offseason and the next. It's not all about LeBron anymore.
Although it seems the Lakers' preference is for him to re-sign on a one-year deal and retire with the organization, it will all depend on what he wants. His family and business ventures are in LA, but if he did leave to sign with a new team, he wouldn't be gone for long.
No matter what he decides to do, he won't play for that much longer. Remember, he is 41. He's talked about wanting to spend more time with his family after sacrificing so much time away.
If Los Angeles' season does end tonight (and hopefully it will), LeBron won't announce his next move in the postgame presser. Odds are he will take his time deciding his next move, evaluating whether he should stay with the Lakers if he keeps playing.
If that's what he chooses, he'll have to accept that to win a fifth ring, they'd have to go through the Thunder, and that alone could be enough to send him elsewhere, especially fresh off a sweep.
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