Only five players have had as long an NBA career as LeBron James.
The 2023-24 season will mark the 21st season of the Lakers star’s career, joining legends Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki Tied for second place in history.
most? That record belongs to Vince Carter, who retired after 22 seasons in the NBA.
From Parrish to Carter, in each of their final seasons, it was clear they were at the end of their careers. James has battled injuries over the past few seasons, but he’s still playing on All-Star and All-NBA teams, and the Lakers have the firepower to compete for a championship.
How does this affect James’ retirement plans? Here’s what we know about how much longer he can play.
More: Sporting News ranks the top 30 players in the NBA
When will LeBron James retire?
After the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, James said he would consider retiring during the offseason. He told reporters he has “a lot to think about” in basketball, making it clear to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he needs to figure out whether he wants to continue playing.
It was not until nearly two months later that ESPYS confirmed that James would return in the 2023-24 season.
“When the season ended, I said I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue playing,” he explained. “I know a lot of experts have told you what I’m saying, but I’m here to speak for myself.
“In that moment, I asked myself if I could still play the game without cheating – could I still give everything I had to the game? The truth is, at the end of the season I’ve been asking myself that question for years. I’ve been asking this question for years. It was just never talked about publicly.
“I don’t care how many more points I score or what I can or can’t do on the court. The real question for me is: Can I play this game without cheating? One day I Not being able to give everything on the field is the day I will get it done. Luckily for you guys, that day is not today.”
James was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He enters the 2023-24 season with career averages of 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Only eight players in NBA history have played more regular season minutes than him, and only two have played more minutes than him.
James’ resume includes 19 All-Star and All-NBA selections, four MVP awards and four championships, making him one of the most decorated players of all time. Even so, the chance to add to his legacy and compete for another championship remains motivation heading into his 21st season.
““I just think that’s just motivation for me to continue to do the best I can and solidify what I want to do in my career and still see the Larry O’Brien Trophy in my mind every day,” James Said before the 2023-24 season. “So, it’s one of the four best moments of my career, to be able to lift the trophy. So, that’s just motivation.
“But I also want to be a legend in this game, to have my game speak for itself long after I’ve finished playing it. But this team also inspires me. Coming to training every day, watching the players go to work every day and challenge each other, Trying to get better every day. Achieve what we want to do. So that’s motivation as well.”
James has also spoken out in the past about wanting to play in the NBA with his oldest son, Bronny, who looked like a likely first-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft but suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice before his freshman season. . University of Southern California.in a issue a statement On August 25, a spokesperson for the James family stated that Bronny is expected to make a full recovery and return to the basketball court “in the near future.”
If James is still determined to play on the same team as his oldest son, his contract is structured so that he can sign with any team of his choice in the 2024 or 2025 offseason.
LeBron James contract details
James will earn $47.6 million in the 2023-24 season. He has one year left on his contract, but it’s a player option that gives him a chance to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason.
Steph Noh of The Sporting News recently named James the best player in the 2024 free agent class.
If James chooses his player option for the 2024-25 season, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason.
| season | salary |
| 2023-24 | $47,607,350 USD |
| 2024-25 | $51,415,938 (player option) |
LeBron James career statistics
- Averaged 27.2 points per game
- Averaged 7.5 rebounds per game
- Averaged 7.3 assists per game
- 1.5 steals per game
- 0.8 blocks per game
- 3.5 turnovers per game
- 50.5% shooting percentage
- Three-point shooting percentage: 34.5%
- Free throw percentage: 73.5%