LeBron James' future with Los Angeles Lakers is not certain beyond NBA 2022-23 season

According to Bleacher Report's reputed Eric Pinus, LeBron James is not decided on his Los Angeles Lakers' future beyond the NBA 2022-23 season. James' future will likely be dependent on the Lakers' off-season, with the NBA Draft set to take place in less than a couple of weeks and free agency starting towards the end of June. James' hesitancy to sign an extension may also exist because of the Lakers' 2021-22 season. The Lakers were expected to contend but instead ended up missing the post-season. Injuries were partially a reason for the failure as James only played 56 out of 82 games while Anthony Davis missed more than half of the season due to injury.

However, at no point did the Lakers look good enough even at full strength, and this was despite an all-NBA season from LeBron at the age of 37, as he averaged over 30 points per game. James wants the Lakers to improve their roster if they want to keep him long-term. On the other hand, Free-Agents will be more likely to sign with the Lakers if they have the assurance that LeBron will be playing with him for at least a few years.

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Eric Pinus reported about the Lakers' situation with LeBron: "The Lakers were paralyzed at the trade deadline without clarity from James, and they remain so. The star forward is eligible for an extension on August 4, but most of the team's moves will need to happen in June and July. The Lakers are stuck without a commitment from James, whose contract expires after the 2022-23 season. Competing executives and agents do not expect the team to get clarity from James ahead of the Draft and free agency."