LeBron James hasn't confirmed if he'll return for a 24th campaign, but retirement following this season remains a real possibility, sources told The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick.
The notion that James would want a farewell tour in his final year is false, Woike and Amick add.
James exercised his $52.6-million player option for this season and is set to hit the open market in the summer.
The four-time Finals MVP will have no shortage of options if he suits up next campaign.
The Los Angeles Lakers increased their chances of retaining James by finishing March with a 15-2 record, sources told Woike and Amick.
The Lakers are projected to have approximately $50 million in cap space but will likely spend a large amount of that to re-sign Austin Reaves, who's expected to decline his $14.9-million player option for 2026-27.
James heading to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint or joining Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors is also possible, Woike and Amick report.
James' close relationship and history with Tyronn Lue could make the Los Angeles Clippers a potential destination as well, sources told Woike and Amick.
The 41-year-old earned his record-extending 22nd All-Star selection this season. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 boards, and 1.2 steals across 60 appearances.
James surpassed Robert Parish for the most regular-season games played and leapfrogged Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the league's all-time lead in field goals made.
The Lakers will have home-court advantage for their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, which begins Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
