Lakers need to improve for next season after back-to-back seasons of first-round playoff exits.

“I don’t know. Obviously, you don’t even ... man, listen, it’s a business, too,” said James, who was hurt during a knee-to-knee collision with Minnesota guard Donta DiVincenzo that night. “So you don’t know what the roster will look like next year besides the guys that locked into contracts. (Expletive), I got a lot to think about myself. So I don’t know what the roster will look like. I don’t know where I stand right now.”

James followed up with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, saying his decision is more about not knowing where he is at in terms of continuing to play generally, not whether he’d return to the Lakers.

Next season would be a league-record 23rd for James, who averaged 24.4 points while shooting 51.3% from the field (37.6% from 3-point range), 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and a steal in 70 regular-season games.

He’ll likely be named to a record-extending 21 All-NBA team.

As of last weekend, James hadn’t had a talk with his family and inner circle about his future yet.

“I haven’t had the conversation with the family yet as far as me going forward or whatever the case may be,” James said during an episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast that was recorded on May 4 and released last Thursday. “But we will see what happens.”

But the Lakers, at least outwardly, have been optimistic about James returning.

President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka referred to James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as the team’s “pillars” going into next season. It’s no secret that James had long admired Doncic before becoming teammates. Without being prompted, James spoke highly of coach JJ Redick and his coaching staff after the season ended.

James also said that playing alongside his son, Bronny, this past season ranked No. 1 among all of his career accomplishments.

Bronny has a fully guaranteed $1.9 million salary for 2025-26, is partially guaranteed for $1.3 million of his $2.3 million salary for 2026-27 (his salary for that season would become fully guaranteed on June 29, 2026) and has a $2.5 million team option for 2027-28.

“It is not even close,” he added of playing alongside Bronny. “To be able to play the game that I love and to be able to be along with my son this whole year has been one of the most gratifying, satisfying journeys I’ve ever been on.”

But James’ contract status will loom over the Lakers until he makes a decision.

“LeBron’s going to have high expectations for the roster,” Pelinka said. “And we’re going to do everything we can to meet those.”