After getting beat by the Denver Nuggets in convincing fashion in the NBA playoffs for a second straight season, LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers was put in doubt, as he refused to answer the question of whether he had played his last game for the storied franchise.

With James having a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season, the expectation is that he’ll opt-out of his deal with the Lakers in order to become a free agent where he can either test NBA free agency or re-sign with Los Angeles on a lucrative long-term deal.

As usual, James likes to leverage his power in these situations in order to mold a roster and a coaching staff, which he seems to be doing with the Lakers once again.

James’ podcast co-host JJ Redick is the current favorite to be the team’s new head coach, while the Lakers are openly considering drafting Bronny James in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.

Skip Bayless, who has had an axe to grind with James for many years, doesn’t believe James is going anywhere, even though he showed up at a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game recently, via “The Skip Bayless Show.”

“LeBron ain’t going back to Cleveland,” Bayless said.

At this point in time, there’s no telling what will happen with the latest James saga in Los Angeles, but all signs point to him staying with the Lakers, primarily if the team acquires another star, hires Redick, and drafts his son.

The Lakers will work hard over the next few weeks and months in order to convince the four-time NBA champion to stay committed to the team and potentially play the last years of his career in Los Angeles.