INDIANAPOLIS — Just hours before his NBA-record 20th consecutive start in an All-Star Game, 39-year-old LeBron James said there aren't “that many” seasons left in his storied career.
“I haven't thought about how many seasons I have left, I know it's not that many,” said James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer who is in his 21st season.
James, who has a $51.4 million player option in his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and has previously expressed a desire to enter the 2024 NBA Draft with his son Bronny, who could enter the 2024 NBA Draft after his first season at USC, playing on the same team said “I'm a Laker, I'm happy and have been very happy to be a Laker for the last six years and hopefully it stays that way.”
James' latest comments follow an almost annual tradition of him expressing mild dissatisfaction with the team he plays for at the trade deadline. This time, he posted an hourglass emoji on social media ahead of the deadline and dismissed speculation about his contract status when asked last week.
“I have no answer as to how long it will take or what uniform I will wear,” James said Sunday, discussing his possible retirement. “Hopefully it’s the Lakers, it’s a great organization, so many greats. I don't know how it will end, but it will. It’s definitely coming.”
James is averaging 24.8 points, his lowest since his rookie season decades ago, with 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in 49 contests. He missed the Lakers' final game on Wednesday because of an ankle injury, but said he would play in the NBA's 73rd All-Star Game on Sunday in Indianapolis.
When James spoke candidly about the final years of his career, which spanned two stints in Cleveland, one in Miami and the last six seasons in Los Angeles, earning a total of four titles and four NBA MVPs, he mentioned that he was “50- ” be. 50,” when he announced his final season early so he could enjoy a farewell season like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan or retire more abruptly. “Tim Duncan-it,” James explained.
“There are times when I feel like I owe it to my fans, who have been with me on this journey for more than two decades, to be able to give them that moment when they give you flowers in every city.” – and that seems cool,” James said. “The other side is that I have never accepted my praise so well. It's so strange for me.
“I never really talked about it much. If that's the case, I would go to any city… I don't know how I would feel. I don't know if I would feel great about it. Maybe it’s the only child in me.”
James also reiterated his commitment to Team USA for the Paris Olympics this summer, but admitted his health is expected to play a role in whether he can play a crucial role in his fourth Games.
“As it stands now, I’m healthy enough to be on the team and play at the level I know I can,” James said. “But like you said, there’s still time left in the season, still a third in the regular season. So I don't know what the future looks like in the postseason, whatever the case may be.
“These tires get more mileage, you know? But if I'm committed to Team USA, which I am, then I'm going to commit my mind, my body and my soul to being out there for Team USA, being out there to help our country with the greatest To represent respect and go out and play.”
As The Athletic first reported in mid-September, James was a key recruiter for this 2024 team, which is widely expected to have strong star depth. With other stars like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis and more also joining the program's 41-player pool, which will eventually be whittled down to 12, he knows there's no shortage of elite support should.
“The only thing I know for sure is that I don’t have to carry the burden,” said James, who has won two gold medals and a bronze medal. “I didn't have to carry a load on any of the three teams I played on – whether it was the 2004 team, the 2008 team or the 2012 team. I just try to do what I do best and be as good as I can on the floor when I'm out there.
“At the moment I'm obviously not sure what the whole team will look like, but based on a few names I know that I don't have to feel any pressure out there and feel like I have to carry the team. It will be a full 12-man squad capable of performing both offensively and defensively on any given night against any country in the world.”
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(Photo: James Boyd / The Athletic)