Monday was LeBron James’ 40th birthday.
It provided the NBA’s elder statesman and unquestioned greatest player of his generation the opportunity to reflect on his basketball career. The 20-time All-Star and four-time MVP and NBA champion spoke with media from Lakers practice about the inevitable end to his playing days.
He didn’t offer a hint at when he plans to retire. But he does believe that he could continue to play at a high level for “another five to seven years.” He just doesn’t necessarily want to.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James said when asked about when he’ll retire. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably about another — it’s weird that I might say this — but probably about another five to seven years if I wanted to.
“But I’m not going to do that.”
James also ruled out a comeback a la Michael Jordan with the Washington Wizards after the conclusion of his Bulls career. When James is done, he says that he’ll be done.
The thought of playing at a high level in the NBA at 45-47 years old is preposterous. James averaging 23.5 points, nine assists and 7.9 rebounds per game in his age-40 season is also preposterous, so who are we to question his unabated confidence?
James’ only rival for combined excellence and longevity in American sports is Tom Brady, and they both repeatedly proved their detractors wrong in the late stages of their careers.
As for where he’ll wrap his career, James has little doubt. He intends for the Lakers to be the last of his three NBA stops (or four if we’re splitting up his two Cavs stints).
LeBron James on ending his career with the Lakers: “I think that’s the plan. I would love for it to end here. … I came here to finish the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. … Hopefully I don’t have to go nowhere before my career is over.” pic.twitter.com/16Zjl8lUya
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 30, 2024
“I think that’s the plan. I would love for it to end here,” James said. “That would be the plan. I came here to play my last stage of my career and to finish it off here. But I’m also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, know the business of the game of basketball.
“But, I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. Hopefully, I don’t have to go nowhere before my career is over.”
Where he ends his career is largely up to James. That is unless he intends to push that 5-7 year timeframe. He’s playing on a two-year, $101.5 million contract with a player option for next season. He also has a no-trade clause.
So he’s locked up with the Lakers through the 2026 offseason as long as he wants to be there. And all signs point to James wanting to remain in Los Angeles.
