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The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James' 2025 NBA season has officially come to an end. After falling 103-96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Lakers will head into the offseason with more questions than answers.
The Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, trailing only the Boston Celtics in total NBA championships. The Celtics have won 18 while the Lakers have won 17.
At the same time, James is one of the most highly decorated players in NBA history. He's won four NBA championships and four NBA MVPs throughout his 22-year-career.
While James and the Lakers are accustomed to landing on the right side of history, they landed on the wrong side of history on Wednesday night following their first-round playoff series loss to the Timberwolves.
The Lakers, in their 77-year existence, had never lost as a No. 3 seed or higher, in the first round of the playoffs, in franchise history -- until now.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Lakers were the No. 3 seed, and the Timberwolves were the No. 6 seed in this season's playoff bracket. The Lakers have now lost in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and in three of the last five (they missed the playoffs in 2021-22).
James' newly acquired superstar sidekick, Luka Doncic, is under contract for next season, but holds a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season. While Doncic will remain in Lakers' purple and gold for the upcoming season, nothing is promised for James at 40 years of age.
Retirement questions now loom over James' head, as he has acknowledged the need to discuss his future with his family and team. James, who will be approaching 41 years old at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, holds a player option on his contract worth approximately $52.6 million. The deadline for this option is June 29 of this year, so the NBA world should have a potential retirement answer by then.
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The Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, trailing only the Boston Celtics in total NBA championships. The Celtics have won 18 while the Lakers have won 17.
At the same time, James is one of the most highly decorated players in NBA history. He's won four NBA championships and four NBA MVPs throughout his 22-year-career.
While James and the Lakers are accustomed to landing on the right side of history, they landed on the wrong side of history on Wednesday night following their first-round playoff series loss to the Timberwolves.
The Lakers, in their 77-year existence, had never lost as a No. 3 seed or higher, in the first round of the playoffs, in franchise history -- until now.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Lakers were the No. 3 seed, and the Timberwolves were the No. 6 seed in this season's playoff bracket. The Lakers have now lost in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and in three of the last five (they missed the playoffs in 2021-22).
James' newly acquired superstar sidekick, Luka Doncic, is under contract for next season, but holds a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season. While Doncic will remain in Lakers' purple and gold for the upcoming season, nothing is promised for James at 40 years of age.
Retirement questions now loom over James' head, as he has acknowledged the need to discuss his future with his family and team. James, who will be approaching 41 years old at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, holds a player option on his contract worth approximately $52.6 million. The deadline for this option is June 29 of this year, so the NBA world should have a potential retirement answer by then.
Continue reading...
