LeBron James Rumors: '10% Chance' Lakers Star Doesn't Return Next Season amid Injury

While rumors have circulated about LeBron James and his future both with the Los Angeles Lakers and in the NBA, it appears there's a strong chance he'll be back with the Purple and Gold in 2023-24.

The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported Wednesday that "there's about a 10 percent chance" James doesn't return to the Lakers next season.

"Everyone with and around the team I've spoken to believes he's returning," Buha wrote.

Buha added that the Lakers "are approaching this offseason as if he'll be a part of the 2023-24 squad."

After an abysmal start to the 2022-23 campaign, James and the Lakers performed admirably down the stretch to clinch a berth in the play-in. The franchise's subsequent playoff series wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors en route to the Western Conference Finals were inspiring, too, but the Lakers' inconsistencies and shortcomings were on full display against the Denver Nuggets.

Rumors about James possibly retiring or playing for another team next season arose after the Nuggets swept the Lakers.

At 38 years old, James is undoubtedly nearing the end of his legendary career, and with injuries continuing to bog down the four-time NBA champion, it's no surprise some are questioning whether he's ready for retirement.

James, who hasn't played more than 55 games in a season since the 2019-20 campaign, played the entire postseason with a torn tendon in his right foot. It's possible he could have surgery this summer, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania, though if he does undergo a procedure he should be ready for the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

With both James and Anthony Davis expected to return next season, the Lakers will have some big questions to answer about how they want to fill out their roster around the two superstars.

Retaining both Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who will become restricted free agents, is expected to be a priority for the franchise this summer. Point guard D'Angelo Russell is more of a question mark given his subpar performance in the playoffs, and Buha wrote that he believes the Lakers prefer to use him in a sign-and-trade.

James is under contract with the Lakers in 2023-24 and has a player option worth more than $50 million in 2024-25. Getting the most out of the roster with the veteran still on board will be key for the franchise.