Monday marked LeBron James’ 40th birthday, but he’s still consistently going toe-to-toe with some of the NBA’s top talent.
Now in Year 22 of his illustrious career, James is defying Father Time at a level the sport has never seen. Even as his speed and strength have declined with age, James’ pure skill has helped him break records, continue to play high-level basketball on a nightly basis and lead the Lakers in their quest for another title.
James already owns virtually everything he could ask for out of his NBA career: four rings, the No. 1 spot on the all-time scoring list, playing time next to his son and more. Still, if any basketball player could stay on the floor until age 45, it’s likely him.
As he celebrated his 40th birthday, James remained confident that his talent would continue transferring to even older ages if he chose to keep playing.
MORE: Where LeBron James falls on the list of oldest NBA players
LeBron James talks retirement plans on his 40th birthday
There hasn’t been one season of James’ 22-year career that he hasn’t been playing at a high level, including the current 2024-25 campaign. Now at age 40, the Lakers star spoke Monday about what would push him to his potential retirement.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James said. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years. If I wanted to, but I’m not gonna do that.”
Lebron James: “ If I wanted to, I could play this game at a high level for another 5 to 7 years 😳” Question by @DanWoikeSports pic.twitter.com/DCAjf9kZUc
— Jordan Richard (@JordanRichardSC) December 30, 2024
James also reaffirmed that “the plan” is to retire in a Lakers uniform, as he joined Los Angeles “to play the last stage of my career here.”
LeBron James on ending his career with the Lakers: “I think that’s the plan. I would love for it to end here. … I came here to finish the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. … Hopefully I don’t have to go nowhere before my career is over.” pic.twitter.com/16Zjl8lUya
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 30, 2024
It remains to be seen when James will call it quits on his playing career, but for now, he’s still enjoying a great season for the Lakers.
LeBron James stats 2024
James’ current mark of 23.5 points per game would be his lowest total since his rookie year in 2003-04. However, it also still puts him at 22nd in the NBA in scoring entering Monday’s matchups.
Appearing in 28 of the Lakers’ 31 games thus far, here’s how James has performed prior to turning 40 this season:
| GP | MIN | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | BPG | TO | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
| 28 | 35.0 | 23.5 | 9.0 | 7.9 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 49.6% | 35.7% | 76.7% |
