LeBron James celebrates his birthday by quashing NBA future speculation with an epic response
James turned 40 on Monday
Lapresse
The NBA has never seen someone quite like LeBron James. Regarded as an elite high-school propsect, James elected to forego an NCAA career and jumped straight to the NBA at 18 years old. He quickly turned the Cleveland Cavaliers into NBA Finals contenders, but he had to leave for the Miami Heat in order to taste his first championship success; after returning to Cleveland and leading the Cavs to the 2016 NBA title, James moved west to join the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he led to a championship in the 2020 bubble.
Now 40 years old, James has been beset by speculation that he is “slowing down” as he enters uncharted territory for a player of his caliber. Having set the NBA’s points and minutes records — not to mention having shared the court with his son Bronny earlier this season — many are wondering whether LeBron is nearing the end of the line as it pertains to his stellar 22-year NBA career.
LeBron does not want to leave LA and could play until 2030
But James is not going to let go of the NBA so easily; he has dedicated more than half his life to the pursuit of basketball greatness, which he long ago achieved. That doesn’t matter; James wants to win a fifth NBA championship, which would put him in rarefied air with only 26 other players in league history.
In response to recent speculation about his potential retirement or desire to end his career with a team other than the Lakers, James on Monday moved to quash the rumors during his birthday media availability.
“I would love for it to end here,” James said of wrapping his career in Los Angeles when the time comes. “I came here to finish the last stage of my career and to finish it off here.”
MORE in MARCA
Olivia Culpo steals the Holiday spotlight as husband Christian McCaffrey and 49ers struggle | MarcaMarca
Ryan Reynolds reveals close friend Taylor Swift’s big Eras Tour ‘flaw’: The only downside is… | MarcaMarca
As to how long the “last stage” could last, James further told reporters that he thinks he could play “five to seven” more years — but he qualified that explosive statement by saying he would retire before then, and that his retirement decision would be final, unlike that of someone like Michael Jordan.
James has helped the Lakers to an 18-13 record in 2024/25, which is good for fifth in the Western Conference. Their next game? A home game against none other than LeBron’s hometown Cavaliers, who boast the NBA’s best record at 27-4.
LeBron James has prompted ‘concern’ amid the latest setback shortly after his return to action
LeBron recently returned from an excused absence
Lapresse
As the NBA season approaches its halfway mark, the Los Angeles Lakers might be starting to round back into form — although questions remain over the future of their best player, basketball legend LeBron James.
James recently missed two games through an “excused absence” before he sat out Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings with an illness. Though the Lakers, at 18-13, now own the fifth seed in the Western Conference, Los Angeles simply isn’t the same without The King, and head coach J.J. Redick knows it.
Redick reveals level of concern around LeBron
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, after the Lakers defeated the Kings 132-122 the night before, Redick revealed his own King’s status moving forward — and it appears James could be ready to face his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve.
“No concern, he’s just a little bit under the weather,” Redick told the media.
MORE in MARCA
Olivia Culpo steals the Holiday spotlight as husband Christian McCaffrey and 49ers struggle | MarcaMarca
Ryan Reynolds reveals close friend Taylor Swift’s big Eras Tour ‘flaw’: The only downside is… | MarcaMarca
Even with his 40th birthday mere hours away, James has continued to impress in his 22nd NBA season as the Lakers chase a third consecutive playoff berth. Saturday’s game was only the third James has missed this season; he continues to average 35 minutes per night while averaging 23.5 points, nine assists, and nearly eight rebounds per game. His eight triple-doubles this season are more than he recorded in the previous two years combined — and he began 2024/25 by sharing the court with his son Bronny, fulfilling one of his final stated NBA goals.
But James is also shooting his worst percentage from the field since 2019/20, and his points-per-game average is the lowest he’s averaged since his rookie season in 2003/04. Perhaps Father Time is calling…or perhaps LeBron is saving his best for last, as he pursues a fifth championship — however unlikely.
