At the age of 38, LeBron James may not be winning the greatest of all-time debate, but he has been winning the longevity debate.
He averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game while shooting 50% from the field last season. The year prior he put up 30.3 points a game, which was the second-highest scoring average of his career. As long as the right foot injury that hampered him late last season is fully healed, another year of elite or near-elite play seems likely.
Buy Lakers TicketsJames has become the greatest late-30s player in NBA history, and he is chasing the longevity of legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who won two Super Bowl championships in his 40s.
While talking to Sports Central LA, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said she could see James playing five more seasons.
.@Lakers fans – it's time to start getting excited as training camp is now just a week away! Lakers Governor @JeanieBuss stopped by our studios… and she thinks LeBron could possibly play 5 more years for the Lakers!
📅Tonight
⏰5:45/10:45p
📺@kcalnews@LakersNation #Lakers pic.twitter.com/FF7dppSC3O— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) September 25, 2023
“It wouldn’t surprise me if LeBron (James) played another five years. We’ve seen him do things in the last couple seasons that defy anything we’d seen before. But that’s his decision.”
James is under contract for two more seasons, including the 2023-24 campaign. He can opt out of that deal and become a free agent at the conclusion of this season.
