On the heels of the Lakers getting swept by the reigning-champion Thunder in the Western Semifinals, everyone in the NBA world has the same question.
Could this be the last time we see LeBron James in purple and gold?
The Post’s Khobi Price reported James is “noncommittal” about the Lakers or even whether he would suit up at all for any team next season.
“With my future, I don’t know, honestly. It’s obviously, it’s still fresh from, obviously losing. And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me,” the 41-year-old told reporters following the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Thunder on Monday.
In perhaps a shocking twist, oddsmakers at Hard Rock Bet are posting odds on where he will end up next season, with “King James” looking likely to leave the Lakers for a familiar team.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cavaliers | +175 |
| Lakers | +275 |
| Retirement/Doesn’t play in NBA next season | +275 |
| Warriors | +650 |
| Spurs | +700 |
| Knicks | 45/2 |
| Trail Blazers | 30/1 |
| Mavericks | 50/1 |
| Clippers | 50/1 |
| Heat | 50/1 |
| 76ers | 50/1 |
The books aren’t wasting any time following James’ vague remarks, with Hard Rock Bet placing the Cavaliers (+175) as the frontrunners to facilitate a homecoming should the King decide to leave Hollywood behind.
The Lakers still hold +275 odds to retain James and perhaps run it back this time around with a healthy Luka Doncic in the picture.
A grade 2 hamstring injury to Doncic in early April hampered the Lakers’ playoff expectations. However, James excelled as the primary scoring option, leading Los Angeles to a first-round series win over the Rockets in six games.
Also drawing interest from the books is whether James will walk away from the game entirely and retire, with odds of +275.
Another angle is that he could take a page from longtime rival and colleague Kevin Durant’s playbook and join forces with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
The Bay Area team has +650 odds, with James, of course, having strong ties to Curry, who won gold alongside James and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Other suitors peeking in the background include the Spurs (+700), and a massive long shot would be James joining Jalen Brunson and the Knicks at MSG (45/2).
In 60 regular-season games, the four-time NBA champion forward averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, despite missing an early portion of the season due to sciatica.
It’s hard to believe that eight years have passed since he joined the Lakers in 2018 and, shortly after, helped secure the franchise’s championship banner No. 18 in 2020.
However, one thing is certain: his next move will be just as strategic as his high IQ on the court.
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
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