LeBron James is contemplating his future in the NBA after a season with the Lakers where he averaged 20.9 points, the lowest since his rookie year. He emphasizes the importance of family time and reflection before making a decision about next season.
Key points
LeBron James averaged 20.9 points this season.
This is the lowest average since his rookie year.
He emphasizes family time and reflection for his future.
He faced unprecedented roles during the season.
The Lakers were swept in the Western Conference semifinals.
Spending time with his family. Talking to his 12-year-old daughter; his 19-year-old son; and his wife. Reflecting on this past season and deciding what’s in his best interest. And ...
What he didn’t cite explicitly is how his role changed this past season, during which he averaged 20.9 points, the fewest since he averaged the same in his rookie season.
"I'm not looking at my year as a disappointment, that's for damn sure," James, 41, told reporters after the Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-110, Monday, May 11 and got swept in the Western Conference semifinal playoff series. "Especially, I was put into some positions that I've never played in my career before, actually in my life.
"I've never been a third option in my life."
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James jog up the court after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets of Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gives the ball to guard Bronny James during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets during Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
Q&A
What were LeBron James' average points this season?
LeBron James averaged 20.9 points this season, the fewest since his rookie year.
What did LeBron James say about his performance this season?
LeBron stated he does not view his season as a disappointment and faced unique challenges in his role.
How did LeBron James' role change this past season?
LeBron's role changed significantly, as he was placed in positions he had never played before in his career.
What is LeBron James considering before deciding to play next season?
LeBron is considering spending time with his family and reflecting on his past season before making a decision.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Bronny James react after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets of Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sets a pick on Houston Rockets forward Jae'sean Tate (8) as Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) dribbles the ball during the second quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sets a screen on Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) as Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James takes the ball down court in the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) with son Bronny James in the first half against the Houston Rockets during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a tap from guard Bronny James during a stoppage in play in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) interacts with guard Luke Kennard (10) and guard Bronny James (9) before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 3, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) guard Bronny James (9) and forward Rui Hachimura (28) watch game action during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 10, 2026.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) greets guard Bronny James (9) as Bronny enters the game for LeBron during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 13, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) and son Bronny James watch from the bench in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 24, 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talks with son, guard Bronny James, during a break in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Oct. 5, 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and forward LeBron James, wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap, watch the action against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at Chase Center on Oct. 5, 2025.
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LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James jog up the court after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets of Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026.
1 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James jog up the court after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets of Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026.
2 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gives the ball to guard Bronny James during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets during Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
3 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Bronny James react after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets of Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
4 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sets a pick on Houston Rockets forward Jae'sean Tate (8) as Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) dribbles the ball during the second quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026.
5 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sets a screen on Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) as Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James takes the ball down court in the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026.
6 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) with son Bronny James in the first half against the Houston Rockets during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026.
7 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a tap from guard Bronny James during a stoppage in play in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2026.
8 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) interacts with guard Luke Kennard (10) and guard Bronny James (9) before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 3, 2026.
9 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) guard Bronny James (9) and forward Rui Hachimura (28) watch game action during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 10, 2026.
10 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) greets guard Bronny James (9) as Bronny enters the game for LeBron during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 13, 2026
11 / 13
LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) and son Bronny James watch from the bench in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 24, 2025.
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LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talks with son, guard Bronny James, during a break in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Oct. 5, 2025.
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LeBron and Bronny James making NBA history together during 2026 season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and forward LeBron James, wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap, watch the action against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at Chase Center on Oct. 5, 2025.
This season, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves emerged as the NBA’s highest-scoring backcourt, and in March, Lakers coach JJ Redick officially asked James to accept the role of the team’s third scoring option.
"So to be able to thrive in that role (as the team’s third option) for that period of time and then have to step back into the role that I've been accustomed with over my career, over my life ... that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career," he said.
But would it be cool to go back to being the third option next season, which would be his 24th in the NBA?
It could be a complex assessment.
When asked about the love for the game, James said, "I don't think it ever goes away."
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 4 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 4 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
More imporantly, James said, is maintaining his love for "the process." That entails arriving for games 5 1/2 hours early to start getting ready. And arriving three hours before practice.
"...giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play," he said.
James played a co-leading role Monday night, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Reaves had a team-high 27 points along with seven rebounds and six assists.
James took 18 shots. Reaves took 16 shots. Luka remained sidelined.
The highlight of James' eight-year tenure with the Lakers, he said, was leading the Lakers to the NBA title in 2020. He mentioned competing for championships again Monday.
“I think that's a motivating factor, it's always been since I've – probably the first time I touched the postseason in ‘06 – was like, how can I compete for a championship?" he said.
Does accepting the role of third option give James and the Lakers third best chance to win an NBA title?
Is it something he thinks is in his best interest?
Would he still love showing up 5 1/2 hours before games and three hours before practices?
The process of figuring it out all out has officially begun.
