Monday was LeBron James’ 40th birthday.
It provided the NBA’s elder statesman and unquestioned greatest player of his generation with the opportunity to reflect on his basketball career. The 20-time All-Star, 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 believes he could continue to play at a high level for “another five to seven years.” He doesn’t necessarily want to.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James said when asked when he’ll retire. “To be honest, if I wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level, probably about another — weirdly, 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 MJ’s 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’s average of 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.
James has little doubt about where he’ll wrap up his career. 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).
“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 the last stage of my career and finish it here. But I’m also not silly or too jaded to know the game’s business or the basketball game’s company.
“But, my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. Hopefully, I don’t have to go nowhere before my career ends.”
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 signed with the Lakers through the 2026 offseason as long as he wants to be there. And all signs point to James wishing to remain in Los Angeles. (Yahoo Sports)