LeBron James has revealed he wants to end his basketball career with the LA Lakers, despite emphasizing that he understands how the “business” side of the sport works.
The NBA icon, who turned 40 on Monday, discussed his future with a group of reporters on his birthday as the Lakers prepare to face his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on New Year’s Eve.
When asked if he envisions retiring in Los Angeles, LeBron insisted he would love for that to be the case.
However, he then dropped a subtle hint that basketball politics might deny him that fairytale ending.
“I think that’s the plan,” LeBron said of retiring as a Laker. ‘I would love for this to end here, that would be the plan.
“I came here to play the last stage of my career and finish it here, but I’m also not stupid or too tired to know the business of the game.” I know the basketball business.
LeBron James has revealed that he wants to end his basketball career with the LA Lakers
The all-time basketball great was talking about his future in the sport after turning 40.
“But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself and I hope I don’t have to go anywhere before my career is over.”
As for how long his career could last, the four-time NBA champion believes he could spend at least another half-decade operating at the highest level.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” LeBron said when asked what might lead him to retire.
‘To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five or seven years. If I wanted to, but I’m not going to do that.’
James has cemented a legacy as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time in his remarkable 22-year career.
To list some of his accolades; is already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has a place in the GOAT conversation with Michael Jordan, most minutes played, four NBA championships and three Olympic gold medals, plus 20 and probably soon to be 21 selections to the All-Star Game.
Having turned 40, the Lakers great is also set to become the first player to step onto an NBA court in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s.