LeBron James says he will consider retirement this offseason - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James made his way down the ramp to exit the arena Monday night, having just completed his 20th NBA season with an unceremonious sweep out of the playoffs, not knowing if that would be the last time he would make that walk as an active player.

James told ESPN he will consider retirement this offseason.

After scoring 40 points and playing all but four seconds of the Los Angeles Lakers' 113-111 Game 4 loss to the Denver Nuggets — when his last-second floater to try to force overtime was blocked at the buzzer — James ended his news conference by telling reporters «going forward with the game of basketball, I've got a lot to think about.»

Following the news conference, ESPN asked James to elaborate on his statement.

When you say you got to think about stuff, what thread should we be pulling on that?

«If I want to continue to play,» James said.

As in next year?

«Yeah.»

You would walk away?

«I got to think about it.»

The 38-year-old James wrapped up his 20th season in the NBA by leading the No. 7-seeded Lakers all the way to the Western Conference finals.

He played in all 17 of L.A.'s postseason games — including the play-in win over the Minnesota Timberwolves — while still managing a right foot injury that caused him to miss a month straight late in the regular season because of a torn tendon.

James said he heard a pop when he injured his foot against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 26. He consulted a cadre of medical professionals, several of whom recommended surgery, before finding a doctor he described as «the LeBron James of feet,» and was assured he could rehabilitate the injury and return to the court without a procedure.

When asked Monday if surgery could be an option this summer, James told