Camille Naredo

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Jed Jacobsohn, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE   Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JED JACOBSOHN / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

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Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735616991737AFP__20241226__2190775634__v1__Preview__LosAngelesLakersVGoldenStateWarriors.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Jed Jacobsohn, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. <em>Jed Jacobsohn, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP </em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level -- though he conceded he would probably retire before then.</p><p>The basketball superstar, speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said he plans to finish out his NBA career with the Lakers, and would not make a comeback after leaving the league -- whenever that is.</p><p>Asked what might be the deciding factor about when to retire, James declared a lack of competitiveness would not be his reason.</p><p>&quot;It won&#x27;t be because I can&#x27;t play this game at a high level,&quot; James said. &quot;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&#x27;m not going to do that.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/30/nba-s-king-james-on-top-of-his-game-at-40-0804">READ: NBA&#x27;s &#x27;King&#x27; James on top of his game at 40</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/30/lebron-james-prepares-to-follow-those-who-kept-winning-after-40-0714">READ: LeBron James prepares to follow those who kept winning after 40</a></div><p>James, in his record-tying 22nd NBA campaign, is averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds a game and shooting 49.6 percent from the floor.</p><p>He won a third Olympic gold medal with the US team of NBA stars in Paris this year and, after starting in the NBA as an 18-year-old rookie, now has a 20-year-old son as an NBA teammate.</p><p>James is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 20-time NBA All-Star and owns the ever-expanding NBA records for most points and games played in a career.</p><p>James said he plans to play out his career with the Lakers.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-9lP95Qo-I0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>&quot;I think that&#x27;s the plan,&quot; James said. &quot;I would love for it to end here. That would be the plan. I came here to play the last stage of my career.</p><p>&quot;I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. Hopefully I don&#x27;t have to go nowhere before my career is over.&quot;</p><p>Once he is gone, James said, there will be no comeback attempts, as was the case with superstar Michael Jordan.</p><p>&quot;No, no, no, no, no. But I will miss the hell out of it for sure,&quot; James said. &quot;But no, I won&#x27;t walk away and then come back.&quot;</p><p>For his career, James is averaging 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals over 1,520 games.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level -- though he conceded he would probably retire before then.</p>

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level -- though he conceded he would probably retire before then.

LeBron, at 40, says he could have 5-7 more 'high-level' NBA years

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LeBron, at 40, says he could have 5-7 more 'high-level' NBA years

Agence France-Presse

Published December 31, 2024 12:05 PM PHT

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