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CLEVELAND — More than he had at any one time this season, LeBron James candidly discussed retirement for most of his 15-minute postgame news conference after the Lakers’ loss to the Cavaliers. If you listened to half of what he’d said, you’d be sure you were listening to someone saying goodbye. If you listened to the other half, you’d be sure this was someone committed to fighting aging until he can no longer win.
In one answer, he talked about the joy he felt when he saw former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in the stands for his daughter’s gymnastics meet at the University of Georgia. James, whose daughter Zhuri plays competitive youth volleyball, could relate. In another, he talked about wanting to get every drop out of his career, especially while still playing at a high level.
James directly said he hadn’t decided what comes next for him after this season. His contract with the Lakers will be over, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers aren’t focused on him — their energy is centered on Luka Dončić and what he needs.
That’s led to real uncertainty about James’ next move — whether it will be with another team, retirement or another contract with the Lakers. This has been true, mostly in the background. Wednesday’s return to Cleveland put it into the foreground.
“I have not even thought to the point of a farewell tour or whatever the case may be, because I haven’t had the conversation with myself and my family on, when is it over?” James said. “So … I think that will come after that.”
It was the first time he’s said the words “farewell tour” in a news conference since the 2024 All-Star Game.
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