New LeBron James Rumors on Lakers Contract amid Cavs, Warriors and NBA Retirement Buzz

After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in a four-game sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder, many are wondering about the future of star forward LeBron James.

While James is expected to contemplate retiring, The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick reported that team and league sources agreed that both he and the Lakers "have interest in continuing their partnership." However, they added that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors "could try to lure the NBA's all-time leading scorer in an effort to win now – especially if James senses the Lakers are set on moving on in a different direction without him."

James' 23rd NBA season came to an end with a 115-110 loss to the Thunder on the Lakers' home floor in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night. The 41-year-old played 40 minutes and produced 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. After the game, he was noncommittal about his future with the Lakers and in the NBA.

"I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I've answered questions. I don't think I've come out and been like, 'Oh, retirement is coming,'" James said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "With my future, I don't know, honestly. It's, obviously it's still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me."

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Woike and Amick reported that league sources feel that James "is sincerely unsure about whether he wants to continue playing." While a return to the Lakers is on the table, the four-time NBA champion is "sure to have other suitors in free agency, especially if he takes a sizable pay cut from the $52.6 million he made this season."

One league source told Woike and Amick that "no decision will be imminent." James has previously said he'd "discuss things with his family despite being confident he can still impact winning at a high level."

James remains an effective contributor, so the call to chase a fifth NBA championship next season could be too hard to ignore. However, as the greatest player of his generation, he's surely earned the right to retire and start the next chapter of his life, so fans will be anxiously awaiting his decision this offseason.