EL SEGUNDO, California — LeBron James isn’t counting down to the finish line. He’s still lacing up for the marathon.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened camp this week with their 23rd-year star looking refreshed, even playful, as he cracked jokes with reporters and admitted he’s been grinding both on the hardwood and on the golf course all summer. Retirement talk? Not his priority. Watching the calendar until his younger son Bryce enters the NBA? Not on his mind either.
“I’m excited about today,” James said with a grin. “Excited about another season of doing what I love. The end will come at some point, but I’m invested in the journey right now. That’s what matters.”
LeBron has already made history by playing alongside his eldest son, Bronny, now a backup point guard for the Lakers. The possibility of sharing an NBA court with both Bronny and Bryce has fueled speculation for years, but James waved off the chatter.
“I’m not waiting on Bryce,” he said. “He’s his own man, doing his thing in Tucson. He has his timeline, I have mine. We’ll see if they ever line up.”
Bryce begins his college career at Arizona this fall, and while fans dream of a family dynasty in purple and gold, LeBron insists he’s not hanging around just for that scenario.
Turning 41 in December, James will become the first player in league history to step into a 23rd season when the Lakers face Golden State on October 21. His résumé—four championships, every scoring record worth mentioning, and a record 21 straight All-NBA selections—already guarantees immortality. Yet his motivation remains simple: prove he can still dominate.
“Age is real, but it’s also what you make it,” James said. “I feel great. I look at it like wine—the older, the better. I’m not taking this for granted.”
Last season he put up 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds across 70 games, proving his production hasn’t dipped nearly as much as his birth certificate suggests it should have.
The Lakers’ 2024-25 campaign ended with a thud—an early playoff exit at the hands of Minnesota. This summer, the front office responded with bold moves, flipping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and adding Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia to round out the roster. James approved, locking in with a $52.6 million option and recommitting to another run.
“I’m excited to see what we can do,” he said. “The pieces are there. It’s about putting in the work.”
James admits the grind is easier when balanced with family and fun. His wife, his children, and even his amateur golf obsession help fuel his mindset. “I tell myself the age I want to feel,” he laughed. “And right now, I feel young.”
Eight seasons into his Lakers tenure—the longest stretch he’s ever spent with one franchise—James is not interested in farewell tours or countdown clocks. He’s chasing wins, not whispers, and he’s content letting the future, whether it involves Bryce or not, take care of itself.