After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by a 108-106 Game 5 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, Lakers star LeBron James declined to say much about his future with the team.

Speaking to reporters after the game, James said, "I'm not going to answer that," when asked if he had considered the possibility of Monday being his final game with the Lakers.

Regarding his plans for next season in general, James added: "I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought."

LeBron went on to say that he, his family and agent Rich Paul would do "what's best for my career," before noting, "We'll cross that when we need to."

James has spent the past six years in L.A., and if he returns next season, it would match his most consecutive seasons with a single team, as he spent his first seven NBA campaigns with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron has a $51.4 million player option for next season, and he has until June 29 to decide whether he wants to exercise it and remain with the Lakers, or decline it and become a free agent.

Given James' status as the oldest player in the NBA at 39, retirement is an option, although it is difficult to envision him stepping away now while he continues to play at a high level.

The NBA's all-time scoring leader played in 71 regular-season games in 2023-24, which marked his most since playing all 82 games in 2017-18, his final year in Cleveland.

King James also more than earned his 20th career All-Star selection with averages of 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers made and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 54.0 percent from the field and a career-best 41.0 percent from three-point range.

He didn't slow down come playoff time either, averaging 27.8 points, 8.8 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 2.0 three-pointers made and 1.0 block in five games against the defending NBA champions.

James nearly helped the Lakers extend the series with his performance in Game 5, racking up 30 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and four steals.

With James and Anthony Davis leading the way, the Lakers have reached the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, but they have not won a championship since 2020, and it is fair to wonder if the team is capable of making it through the stacked Western Conference without finding a way to add another star.

Per Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, it is expected that James wants to play up to two more seasons, and the Lakers are amenable to any number of ideas to ensure he remains with the organization.

That includes potentially signing him to a three-year, $164 million maximum extension if he decides he wants to play for three more seasons.

Charania, Buha and Amick also reported that the Lakers are open to the idea of selecting LeBron's son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA draft if that will contribute to his desire to stay.

The draft is on June 26 and free agency opens June 30, while James must make the decision on his player option by June 29.

Charania, Buha and Amick noted that James will likely want to have a good idea about the vision for the roster in 2024-25 before he commits to another season in L.A., meaning there will be some pressure on general manager Rob Pelinka to bring in some more talent this offseason via trade or free agency.