Speaking as a 40-year-old NBA player for the first time, LeBron James said Monday that, should he desire, he could still play at a high level in the NBA for several seasons. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably for about another — it’s weird that I might say this — but probably about another 5-7 years, if I wanted to,” James said. “But I’m not going to do that.
” James said he has a “very good” relationship with his eventual retirement from the NBA, though he said he won’t be walking away because his skill demands it. Talking to reporters on his 40th birthday Monday, James directly addressed his eventual retirement and said he envisions that happening at some point with the Lakers . “That would be the plan,” he said of staying with the Lakers.
“I came here to play the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. But I’m also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, to know the business of basketball. But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself.
And hopefully I don’t got to go nowhere before my career is over.” He’s been subject to some mild trade rumors at times over the last two years, and he currently has a no-trade clause in his contract. He has a player option at the end of this season, and he could opt out and sign a new deal with the team in free agency as well.
James again marveled at his longevity in the league, a more ann.
