LeBron James, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers forward, has given fans a glimpse of his retirement timeline, hinting that his illustrious NBA career may only have a season or two left. Turning 40 in December, James continues to play at an elite level, but he has made it clear he doesn’t intend to keep going until he’s forced to stop. “I’m not going to play that much longer,” James shared after the Lakers’ 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, where he posted an impressive triple-double with 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds.
James, who has reached nearly every milestone possible in the NBA, expressed his desire to step away gracefully rather than dragging out his career. “I’m not going to be the guy who is disrespecting the game because I just wanted to be out on the floor,” he remarked. Still, while James has his eye on the finish line, his performances have yet to show any signs of decline.
Now in his 22nd NBA season, James has been the driving force behind the Lakers’ early success in the Western Conference. With an average of 24.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game this season, he remains a pivotal player, helping the Lakers maintain a 7-4 record so far. In fact, his current 45.9% shooting from beyond the arc is on track to be a career-best, underscoring that his skill and efficiency remain at their peak.
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Beyond his on-court performance, James has also spoken about his personal goals, particularly his hope to play alongside his sons. In a groundbreaking moment, James shared the court with his eldest son, Bronny, making history as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA. James has also hinted at the possibility of staying on to play with his younger son, Bryce, currently a high school senior, in what would be an unprecedented achievement. “That would be pretty cool,” James previously said. “It’s all about my mind and then seeing how my body reacts over these next couple of years.”
Sports insider Shams Charania has suggested that next season could be James’ last, but also noted that the prospect of playing with Bryce could keep him on the court for an additional year or two. James has said his mental state is as crucial as his physical condition in deciding how much longer he will play.
With the Lakers still eyeing playoff contention and another championship, James remains fully focused on adding to his legacy. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if the King has more history left to make before he finally steps off the court.
