LeBron James at 40: Could “play at a high level for another 5-7 years”… “if I wanted to”
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LeBron James at 40: Could “play at a high level for another 5-7 years”… “if I wanted to”

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Monday was LeBron James’ 40th birthday.

It gave the NBA’s elder statesman and arguably the greatest player of his generation an opportunity to reflect on his basketball career. The 20-time All-Star and four-time MVP and NBA champion spoke to media members from Lakers practice about the inevitable end of his playing days.

He gave no indication of when he plans to retire. But he believes that he can play at a high level for “another five to seven years.” He just doesn’t necessarily want it.

“It’s not because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James said when asked when he will retire. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level.” at a high level probably for another period of time – it’s strange for me to say that – but probably for another five to seven years if I wanted.

“But I won’t do that.”

James also ruled out a Michael Jordan-style comeback with the Washington Wizards after MJ’s Bulls career ended. When James is finished, he says he will be finished.

The thought of playing at a high level in the NBA at 45-47 is absurd. James averaging 23.5 points, nine assists and 7.9 rebounds per game in his age-40 season is also absurd. So who are we to question his unwavering confidence?

James’ only rival for combined excellence and longevity in American sports is Tom Brady, and both have proven their critics wrong time and time again in the later stages of their careers.

James has little doubt about where he will end his career. He intends the Lakers to be the last of his three NBA stops (or four if we split his two Cavs stops).

“I think that’s the plan. “I would love it to end here,” James said. “That would be the plan.” I came here to play the last stage of my career and to end it here. But I’m not stupid or too jaded to know the business of the game, to know the business of the game of basketball.

“But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. Hopefully I don’t have to go anywhere before my career is over.”

James took his 40th birthday as an opportunity to reflect on his career and what is left of it. (AP/Eakin Howard)James took his 40th birthday as an opportunity to reflect on his career and what is left of it. (AP/Eakin Howard)

James took his 40th birthday as an opportunity to reflect on his career and what is left of it. (AP/Eakin Howard)

Where he ends his career is largely up to James. Unless he intends to push back the time frame from five to seven years. He has a two-year, $101.5 million contract with a player option for next season. He also has a no-trade clause.

Therefore, he has signed with the Lakers until the 2026 offseason, as long as he wants to stay there. And all signs point to James wanting to stay in Los Angeles.

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