LeBron James has just recently turned 40, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer feels he still has more left in the tank.
"To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably for about another -- it's weird that I might say this -- but probably about another five to seven years, if I wanted to," James told reporters as he celebrated his birthday into his 22nd season.
Lebron James: “ If I wanted to, I could play this game at a high level for another 5 to 7 years 😳” Question by @DanWoikeSports
— Jordan Richard (@JordanRichardSC) December 30, 2024
But the King knows it’s easier said than done.
"But I'm not going to do that," he quickly added.
His son Bronny led the Lakers' celebration of his 40th birthday in the team's practice on Wednesday, December 31.
Bronny & the rookies sing Happy Birthday to Bron 🎂
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 31, 2024
James is still putting up All-Star caliber numbers despite being the oldest active player in the league for the surging LA Lakers, who are currently at 18-13 and winners of five of their last six games.
Through 28 games, the four-time champion averaged 23.5 points, 7,9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game in 35 minutes.
And while those numbers indicate that he can play at a high level and extend his career for as long as he wants, the reality is that all good things must come to an end including LeBron’s career.
His first game as a 40-year-old is against a team synonymous to his basketball career in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James made his NBA debut as a 19-year-old teenager for the Cavs against the Sacramento Kings in 2003 and spent 11 total seasons in Cleveland, including giving the franchise's first and only title in 2016.
"It's kind of laughable, really, to know where I am, to see where I am still playing the game at a high level, still being such a young man but old in the scheme of how many years I got in this profession," the three-time Finals MVP said.
Amidst the talks of his retirement plans, LeBron reiterated that he wants to end his career in a Purple-and-Gold uniform.
"I came here to play my last stage of my career and finish it off here, but I'm also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, to know the business of basketball," James said.
"But my relationship with this organization speaks for itself and, hopefully, I don't have to go nowhere before my career is over."
