LeBron James says his retirement will be about celebration, ‘not of loss’

At some point, LeBron James will walk away from basketball. Just do not expect a farewell tour filled with sadness.

James, now in his 23rd season and somehow still producing at age 41, said he views the end of his career very differently.

“When I’m done with this game, it’ll be a celebration of life and not of loss,” James told Melissa Rohlin of the California Post. “It’ll be a celebration of everything I’ve been able to accomplish in this game, everything I’ve put into it. The moments. All the love.”

The end may be approaching, though James has not placed a firm date on it.

Last month offered a reminder that the clock is ticking. During a tribute video when he returned to face the Cavaliers — the franchise with which he spent 11 seasons and delivered the 2016 championship — James became emotional on the bench.

Even now, the production remains remarkable.

James is averaging 21.6 points while shooting just over 50 percent from the field, along with 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds. Not bad for someone in year 23.

Former teammate Dwyane Wade believes James may actually be playing the most complete basketball of his career.

“There’s not been a word made yet to explain what it is,” Wade told the California Post. “He’s probably the most complete he has ever been as a player and he’s in his 23rd year.”

When asked how he hopes to be remembered, James did not mention the four championships. Or the four MVP awards. Or becoming the NBA’s all time scoring leader.

Instead, he offered something simpler.

“I didn’t cheat the game,” he said. “I showed up every day. I put my work in. I showed grace.”

James is also set to become a free agent this offseason.

Whenever the end finally arrives, he already knows how he wants the story to read. Not as a goodbye. But as a celebration.