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When news leaked last night, following your Los Angeles Lakers' playoff elimination at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, that All-NBA small forward LeBron James was contemplating retirement, it apparently hadn't been floated to his most decorated teammate ahead of time.

Josh Peter of USA Today writes that, judging by Anthony Davis' postgame press conference remarks, it sure sounded like The Brow expected at least James to be returning to the hardwood for LA next season. James signed a three-year extension heading into this year, and has a fully-guaranteed $46.1 million salary headed his way for 2023-24 (he has a player option for 2024-25).

"We don't know what team we have next year," Davis acknowledged in his postgame presser. "But whatever it is, whoever we have coming to training camp with the mindset of building that chemistry, building that foundation, me and LeBron setting the tone, trying to get back here and further."

That sure doesn't sound like the kind of comment someone would make if they knew LeBron James wasn't totally sold on returning to the league at all.

"Yeah, we know the window is always small and obviously he's not getting any younger," Davis continued. "You know, this is why this was so important to both of us, and it hurts that we didn't get it done. But you know, we regroup, figure out ways we can be better. Figure out ways I can be better, more consistent for our ball club and we come back next year ready to go."

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