Later Tuesday, LeBron James will become the first player in NBA history to play in a game as both a teenager and a player in his 40s.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday, and as he enters his record-tying 22nd season, he's still his old self.
His 23.5 points per game is his lowest since his rookie season, but his nine assists and 7.8 rebounds per game are both above his career averages.
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#23 LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on December 1, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Jamie Sabau/NBAE via Getty Images)
No, he's no longer the best player in the NBA, but he still puts up numbers that many people would die for if they got their hands on them — and he says that could continue for a while. .
James hasn't shied away from the idea that he's close to retiring, but said on Monday that his eventual retirement “is not because I can't play in this game at a high level.”
“Honestly, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years,” James insisted. “But I'm not going to do that.”
He also said that once he hung up, it was over.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, 23, dribbles at Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, 30, at Chase Center during the first quarter. (Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
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When asked if there was a chance he would return, he answered, “No, no, no, no.” “I'm definitely going to miss this situation. But no, I'm not going to leave and come back.”
James currently has a player option worth about $53 million for next season. With son Bronny making his NBA debut earlier this season, the Jameses are not only the first father duo to play together, but also the first to be teammates.
LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers take the court for the first time in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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The four-time NBA champion also became the all-time minutes played leader, surpassing the record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earlier this season.
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