LeBron James turned 40 on Monday, but the NBA superstar is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to compete with the league’s top players. Now in his 22nd season, James is defying age in a way few athletes ever have. Despite a natural decline in speed and strength over the years, his exceptional skill allows him to break records and maintain a high level of play every night. James is leading the Los Angeles Lakers in their pursuit of another championship, adding to his already impressive career achievements.
At 40, James has accomplished nearly everything a player could dream of: four NBA championships, the all-time scoring title, and the chance to play alongside his son, Bronny. Yet, he remains confident that, if he chooses, he could continue playing at a high level for several more years.
James discussed his future on his 40th birthday, stating that his decision to retire will not be based on his ability to still perform on the court. “It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” he 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.”
James also confirmed that his intention is to retire as a Los Angeles Laker, the team he joined with the goal of finishing his career in California. “The plan is to retire in a Lakers uniform,” he added.
Though it’s unclear when James will decide to retire, he continues to perform at an elite level. This season, despite being 40, he is still a key player for the Lakers.
LeBron James’ 2024-2025 Season Performance
While James’ current average of 23.5 points per game is his lowest since his rookie year in 2003-04, it still ranks him 22nd in the NBA in scoring as of Monday’s games. James has played in 28 of the Lakers’ 31 games so far this season, maintaining a significant presence on the court as he enters his 40s.
