Timberwolves in 5! Yes, Shannon Sharpe’s memeworthy catchphrase ended up backfiring. And Anthony Edwards and co just got LeBron James and Luka Doncic out of the Playoffs in 5 games. LeBron himself had a decent showing tonight. He scored 22 points, grabbing 7 boards and dishing out 9 assists. But this early exit has given Lakers fans something new to worry about — Is LeBron James done after this Playoff embarrassment?

For years now, fans have wondered when the King would step back from the spotlight. And each year, he’s proved that he’s still one of the best in the world. But after early exits in the Playoffs, have things changed for LeBron as far as his mindset goes? That’s because his retirement is predicated on exactly that.

A few weeks ago, on the Pat McAfee Show, LeBron James talked about what it would take for him to retire. “For me, it’s about my mind. I’m all about the process. If it gets to the point where I don’t feel like showing up to the arena five hours in advance. Or I don’t feel like training. Or I don’t feel like studying the scout sheet of guys. If it gets to that point, I’ll know, ‘You know what, Bron, that’s a wrap,” said the 40-year-old superstar.

But that was then. Tonight, when asked about his retirement, the King admitted that it’s too early to tell. “I don’t know the answer to that right now,” he said. And what he said about his future with the Lakers was somehow even more cryptic. “Hell, I got a lot to think about, too,” he said when asked about LA’s roster next season. So, is this it for James? Should he retire?

Now, tonight’s loss was devastating for the Lakers. No getting around that bit. But, despite the crushing nature of the loss against Minnesota, it doesn’t really seem like that moment has come for LeBron James. And that’s for a couple of reasons. So, let’s get into them.

Should LeBron James call it a day in the NBA?

Put very bluntly, no.  The time hasn’t come for LeBron James to retire yet. Why? Let’s start with the most important factor – how he’s playing. Well, in his 22nd season in the NBA, LeBron James is still playing at an All-NBA level. There’s no denying his brilliance, even at 40. Granted, he is slowing down. He averaged 24.4 points(his lowest since his rookie year), 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. That’s a slow year for LeBron, but for anyone else? Those are elite numbers that warrant praise! And these stats certainly don’t indicate someone who’s washed, or over the hill!

Even beyond that, LeBron made one thing clear: he still enjoys being challenged. He compared the Playoffs to a “drug” for crying out loud! LeBron clearly remains committed to winning in the NBA, especially in the postseason. And who knows? Maybe three early exits in the postseason may lead to LeBron having a chip on his shoulder. Moreover, the prospect of playing a full season alongside Luka Doncic with an actual big man must also excite LeBron. Even if he doesn’t know what his future with the Lakers holds.

Finally, there’s another reason he should stick around for at least another season — Bronny James. LeBron and Bronny made history by becoming the NBA’s first father-son duo. But Bronny’s career hasn’t really gone the way LeBron and he would’ve hoped at the start of this season. Moreover, Bronny may have killed it in the G League this season. But his career in the NBA? That remains grounded for now, yet to take off. And LeBron James retiring now could mean the Lakers cut Bronny, too, leaving him without a club in only his sophomore season in the league. And we also really haven’t seen Bronny and LeBron play together. For a couple of minutes? Yes. But an entire game running plays off of each other? We’re still waiting on that.

At the end of the day, LeBron has records that will never be broken, along with 4 rings, 4 MVP titles, and 4 Finals MVP titles. This is as clear an ironclad legacy as we’ve ever seen. So, with nothing left to prove, retirement remains on the table for LeBron James. But one thing is certain: We’ll miss LeBron James once he’s done! And we’ll probably never see another player like him.