Lakers GM Rob Pelinka makes revealing comments on LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers fell hard to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference semifinal sweep, with the Purple and Gold going down in Game 4 to the Thunder, 115-110, on Monday.

Now, the attention has turned to LeBron James. The star player, of course, is staring at free agency, and he could also decide to retire. However, after his historic year, the might be less likely.

If James comes back to the Lakers, part of it will surely have to do with unfinished business. He wasn't able to play out the postseason with fellow Lakers star Luka Doncic due to Doncic's Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered in April. The Lakers will be forced to wonder what might have been if James and Doncic had been able to play together.

So, do the Lakers want James back next season to see how this story could end? Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka sent a clear and strong message about that on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talks LeBron James

Talking to the reporters on Tuesday, less than a day after the Lakers were eliminated from the postseason, Pelinka left no doubt that he wants to have LeBron back with the Lakers. But, he also said that he's giving James time to think about his decision.

"We probably haven't seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he's honored the game," Pelinka said regarding LeBron. "He's given so much to his teammates, to this organization.

"The thing we want to do more than anything else is to honor him back [by giving him some time]. ... Of course any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster."