Rich Paul on LeBron James Playing Into Mid-40s: He’s One Guy I Won’t Say No About

Could LeBron James pull a Tom Brady? You know, the legendary quarterback who just retired at the age of 45?

Brady was still pretty good too. At 43, he was great — leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Again, that was at the age of 43.

James is 38, and will turn 39 at the end of December. He will tell you he’s still better than 90-95 percent of the league. When healthy, he may have a point.

During the regular season, James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. In the playoffs, it was 24.5 points and 9.9 rebounds — as the Lakers went from being the No. 7 overall seed to the Western Conference finals, where they were swept by the eventual champion Nuggets.

Again, that was at the age of 38. So could James possibly play until he’s 43 … or 44 … or 45? It’s something Frank Isola asked Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul on SiriusXM NBA radio. Paul, of course, serves as James’ agent.

“What does that put him at, five or six more years?” Paul asked. “Listen, he’s one guy that I’m not going to say no about. I think it’s important to understand what really motivates him. … As long as his mind is there, as long as he’s still excited about playing the game, in addition to the health, absolutely.

“I always tease him and say, ‘If your athleticism went away, just be Karl Malone, it’s fine.’ He can literally play for as long as he wants to. And at this point, he’s obviously not playing for finances, he’s playing because he loves the game.”

At the end of the season, James said he “had a lot to think about” this summer, with some considering the statement to be a hint at retirement. But Paul suggested James was ready to get back to work two weeks later.

How much longer it will go, no one really knows. But with the way James played this past season, there’s no reason to stop now.

“He’s one guy that I’m not going to say no about”

Rich Paul is asked if he thinks LeBron could play until he’s 44 or 45 years old@RichPaul4 | @TheFrankIsola | @sarahkustok pic.twitter.com/3Mz3ayHSbR

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 11, 2023