LeBron James wasn’t ready to talk about his future just moments after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in a first-round loss to the Timberwolves. “I don’t have the answer to that,” James said Wednesday night when asked how much longer he plans to play. “It’s something I’ll sit down with my wife and my support group and talk through… I don’t know the answer to that right now.”

Though he hasn’t publicly hinted at retirement, fans are watching closely. The 40-year-old played a strong game—22 points, seven rebounds, six assists—but declined to offer any indication of his plans. “It’s ultimately up to me,” he said. “It has nothing to do with anybody else.”

Most expect James to return for a 23rd season, which would give him the NBA record for most seasons played, surpassing Vince Carter. He’s also just 49 games away from breaking Robert Parish’s regular-season games played record of 1,611. James already holds the record for playoff games at 292.

A dominating performance from Rudy Gobert led the Timberwolves past the Lakers in the series-clinching Game 5.

His seventh season in Los Angeles ends in disappointment after a 4-1 series defeat and a team that couldn’t find its rhythm fast enough following the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic. The Lakers have advanced past the first round only once since their 2020 championship in the Florida bubble.

Still, James sounds intrigued by the possibilities of a full season alongside Doncic, whom he’s called his favorite active player. They played just 21 games together, a span James believes wasn’t enough to unlock their full potential. “Anytime you make a big acquisition in the middle of the season, it’s going to be challenging,” James said. “I don’t think we had enough time to mesh, but I thought we ended the season very well to be top three in the West.”

Adding to the incentive to return is his 20-year-old son, Bronny James, who just completed a solid rookie season with the Lakers. The pair made NBA history this year as the first father and son to play together. LeBron called that achievement the “No. 1” of his career, and Bronny hopes to expand his role next season.

Financially, there’s little standing in James’ way. He holds a player option worth $56.2 million for next season, which he’d be unlikely to decline even with an estimated net worth exceeding $1 billion. An eighth season with the Lakers would mark his longest stint with a single franchise, surpassing his first seven-year run in Cleveland.

Even in his 22nd year, James showed little sign of decline. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds—just a shade under his career norms—and led the Lakers to 52 wins and a Pacific Division title, despite midseason roster upheaval. Nearly every core player is signed through next season, except Dorian Finney-Smith (with a $15.3 million option) and Jaxson Hayes.

Back in December, just before turning 40, James said he might be able to play another five to seven years, though he doesn’t necessarily plan to. Right now, he’s taking it day by day—and for now, staying silent about what’s next.