By Ayomide Otitoju
As Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday, the NBA legend revealed he could potentially play at an elite level for another five to seven years. However, he made it clear he has no intention of prolonging his career that far, stating he would likely retire before then.
Speaking after a Lakers practice session, James reaffirmed his commitment to finishing his career with the Lakers and ruled out the possibility of a comeback once he retires.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James emphasized when asked about his eventual retirement. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years, but I’m not going to do that.”
Stellar Season at 40
In his record-tying 22nd NBA season, James continues to defy age. He is averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 49.6% from the floor. Earlier this year, he added a third Olympic gold medal to his collection as part of the U.S. team in Paris.
James began his NBA journey as an 18-year-old rookie and now shares the court with his 20-year-old son. His accolades include four NBA championships, four MVP titles, 20 NBA All-Star selections, and the all-time NBA records for points scored and games played.
Committed to the Lakers
James expressed his desire to conclude his career with the Lakers, emphasizing his strong relationship with the franchise.
“I would love for it to end here. That would be the plan,” James said. “I came here to play the last stage of my career. Hopefully, I don’t have to go anywhere before it’s over.”
No Comeback Plans
Unlike basketball icon Michael Jordan, who famously returned to the NBA after retiring, James ruled out any comeback attempts.
“No, no, no, no, no,” James said. “But I will miss the hell out of it for sure. But no, I won’t walk away and then come back.”
Career Snapshot
Over 1,520 games, James has maintained remarkable career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. As his career winds down, James remains focused on delivering for the Lakers and further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
