LeBron James has everyone desperately searching for answers after playing coy on his future with the Lakers

For his entire NBA career, we’ve held on to every single word LeBron James has ever said to us. His words mean everything.

There always seems to be some meaning behind the meaning to what James says. He’s extremely passive-aggressive. He’s also extremely calculating. He knows that we hang on to his every word. That’s why he’s extremely judicious with what he tells us and what he doesn’t.

So it mattered a lot on Monday night when James was asked if he’d thought about the possibility that the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets was his last game in the purple and gold.

On the surface, his answer didn’t give us much of anything. But it simultaneously feels like it gave us everything.

The exchange was simple. James was asked by a reporter, “Was there any thought that tonight was your last game with the Lakers?” His response was just as simple. He replied, “I’m not going to answer that. Appreciate it.”

Now, that’s interesting. What does that mean? We don’t really know. James probably isn’t leaving the Lakers. He has a player option this offseason and can opt in for about $51 million to remain a Laker. That’s unlikely. He’s likelier to opt out and get a huge payday on a three-year extension with LA. That answer is probably a leverage play.

But the fact that there wasn’t an unequivocal no here does feel like it leaves the door open for a separation. And that’s exactly what James wants — for the door to be left open, even if he’s not leaving.

Fans did their best to dissect what this means for LeBron’s future. It’s impossible to know, but everyone gave it a shot anyway.