Lakers forward LeBron James said he will wait until late June or July before deciding whether to continue his NBA career, noting that he has “not even really thought about it” since Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs.
Speaking with co-host Steve Nash on the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast, James acknowledged his upcoming free agency and said he intends to evaluate his options after a family vacation that begins after Memorial Day.
“I understand that I’m a free agent and can control my own destiny—whether that’s staying with the Lakers or going somewhere else,” he said. “When free agency starts rolling in July and maybe into August, we’ll get a feel for what my future may look like.”
Reflecting on Playoff Exit
James also addressed the Lakers’ second-round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without leading scorer Luka Dončić, Los Angeles “was just out-talented,” he told Nash. “We were not outworked, they didn’t out-physical us, they didn’t outsmart us. At the end of the day, we failed in talent.”
Dodgers Brain Trust Joins Search for Executives
Yahoo Sports reports that new Lakers owner Mark Walter has enlisted Los Angeles Dodgers executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi—architects of the baseball club’s modern front office—to help reshape the Lakers’ organizational structure. Friedman or Zaidi has attended most interviews as the team looks to hire two assistant general managers.
Despite speculation that their involvement could lead to a change atop basketball operations, Rob Pelinka remains in charge and is leading contract talks with player agents, according to the report. Pelinka has told associates he is collaborating with the Dodgers executives.
Steve Senior Declines Lakers Offer
The Lakers offered Timberwolves assistant GM Steve Senior an executive vice president of basketball operations position, but he chose to stay in Minnesota, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Offseason Salary Projections
Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron projects Los Angeles could have notable cap space this summer. He estimates restricted free agent Austin Reaves could command $35–40 million annually, while Rui Hachimura may receive a deal near the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, roughly $15 million-plus per season.
The Lakers’ front office decisions—and James’ timeline—will shape how quickly those figures become concrete as free agency approaches.
Source: Hoops Rumors
