Lakers’ LeBron James Says He Doesn’t ‘Have Much Time Left’ In NBA

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said on Sunday (3/31) that he doesn’t “have much time left” in the NBA. 

LeBron is 39 years old. He’s the oldest player in the NBA. 

“Not very long,” LeBron said. “Not very long. I’m on the other side, obviously, of the hill. I’m not gonna play another 21 years, that’s for damn sure. But not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I’ll retire. But I don’t have much time left.”

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has been in the league since 2003-04. 

The Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday behind 40 points, seven rebounds and five assists from LeBron. The King shot 13-of-17 from the field, 9-of-10 from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. 

“My foot has felt a lot better,” LeBron said. “I didn’t have much time to like really rep a lot last year because I had to make sure I could be on the floor running around or (not) putting much pounding of my foot on the floor. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to get on the floor. … And just trying to stay consistent with my shot, do the same shot every time. And just work. Just work work work work.”

LeBron is averaging 25.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists on the season while shooting 53.3% overall, 41.6% from 3 and 75.2% from the foul line. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is 15th in the NBA in points, 13th in points per game, eighth in assists and sixth in assists per game. 

“It’s incredible,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said about LeBron. “I told him in the huddle before his last little stretch and we ultimately subbed him out. Just extremely thankful that he packed the cape on the road trip. Needed all nine of those 3s.”