Jeanie Buss reveals whether she wants LeBron James to stay with Lakers

Everyone is wondering what LeBron James will decide to do as far as his basketball career is concerned this summer. He could stay with the Los Angeles Lakers or leave to join another team, and although it seems pretty unlikely, retirement is also reportedly a real possibility for him once this season ends.

There have been conflicting reports over the last several months about whether the Lakers want James to remain with them past this season. The team is projected to have roughly $50 million in salary cap space this summer, and the math could get complicated in terms of improving its roster if James wants to stay put and won't accept a major pay cut.

In an interview on SiriusXM Radio, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss implied that she wants James to stay with the franchise if he continues playing past this season. But she also admitted that what he ultimately decides to do is up to him, via HoopsHype.

“Well, I’ve always said I want to see him retire as a Laker,” Buss said. “But he’s going to be a free agent. It’s really his decision to make. He is a valuable player in this league, even in his 23rd season. It’s incredible what he’s done. But, you know, the decision’s going to be his, he’s a free agent, and I’m sure he’s going to look at all his opportunities. Or not. Maybe he just wants to go out quietly.

“I mean, certainly I think one of the biggest gifts that Kobe [Bryant] gave us was that he told us in November of his last season that it was going to be his last season. So we got a chance to celebrate him. And every city he went to, I think he was even blown away at the fans in Sacramento, the fans in , really showing so much love to him.