LeBron James still wants to play in the Olympics in Paris this summer. It sounds like he could stay in the NBA for at least a couple more seasons, and he has said that he would like to finish his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of course, not even he knows if any of those things are possible.
James played in his 20th All-Star Game on Sunday, which is the most of any player in NBA history. He planned to not be on the court in Indianapolis for very long, though, because he is still getting treatment for his troublesome left ankle.
As James put it, “My health is the most important thing for me.”
That will probably be the most important thing for James to think about when making basketball choices for the rest of his career, no matter how long he has left on his already huge list of accomplishments. The Lakers are 30-26 and ninth in the Western Conference right now, even though they have won six of their last seven games. The playoffs are their first concern right now.
James said, “We’re moving in the right direction.”
He is 39 years old and has played more minutes than anyone else in NBA history. Coming back for a 22nd season this fall is something he plans to do, which will tie Vince Carter for the NBA record. And he says he doesn’t know how long he wants to play either.
Right now, all eyes are on the Lakers and their battle to make the playoffs. After that, he’ll choose if he wants to play baseball for the USA this summer. At this time, he wants to go to Paris.
“When I promised myself before the season that I would be on the Olympic team, I made it clear that it was all dependent on my health,” James said. “Right now, I feel healthy enough to be on the team and play at the level I know I can.”
It’s not easy to answer the Olympic question.
The Lakers’ season might be over in April, May, or June. James will have a lot of time to heal up and get ready for the U.S. training camp, which starts in early July and has several practice games before the Olympics, which end in mid-August. But if the Lakers make it far in the playoffs, James might say that he’d rather take some time off and get ready for the 2024–25 NBA season than play hoops for five or six more weeks in the summer.
“More miles on these tires,” James, who has been to the Olympics three times and won two gold medals, said. “But if I’m committed to Team USA, which I am, then I’m going to give my mind, body, and soul to playing for Team USA and representing our country with the greatest respect.
He needs just 132 more points to reach 40,000 for the season. That means he’s probably only five games away from making that mark. James is already the all-time leader in points scored, and his place in history was sealed a very long time ago. Since a child, he has always said he wants to play in the NBA with one of his kids. This spring, USC freshman Bronny James could enter the draft.
James said, “I haven’t planned out how many seasons I have left.” “I know there aren’t that many.”
He hasn’t even decided if he wants to “Tim Duncan it,” which means going out quietly like the San Antonio star who never wanted any attention, or if he wants to go on a retirement tour during his last season and say goodbye in every NBA city.
James said, “I’ve never been that good at taking praise.” “It makes me feel strange.”
Aside from that, James could be a free agent this summer if he wants to. Because he is a player, he can get more than $51 million for next season. Most players wouldn’t turn down that kind of money. But James’s net worth is thought to be more than $1 billion, and he has a lot of different interests outside of basketball. Likely, the size of his paycheck isn’t as important to him anymore.
“I’ve been a Laker for six years and I’m very happy to be a Laker. I hope it stays that way,” James said. “But I don’t know how long it is or what uniform I’ll be wearing.” We hope it’s with the Lakers. It is a great group with many great people in it. It’s going to end, but I don’t know how. It’s going to happen.”