Before his 20th NBA All-Star Game, James made remarks indicating he had no idea how long he would have left or where his career would end.

LeBron James, the star of the Lakers and player in his twenty-first NBA season, isn’t afraid to admit that his playing days are numbered.

James said, “I am,” when he was available to the media ahead of his NBA record 20th All-Star Game on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “I swear to you.”

Regarding his remaining time, he is less certain.

James said, “I haven’t calculated how many seasons I have left.” “I understand there aren’t many.”

And will he join the Laker team to cap off his legendary career?

“I am a Laker, and I hope it stays that way. I have been happy being a Laker for the last six years,” James said. However, I’m not sure how long it will last or what outfit I’ll be wearing.

“Hopefully, the Lakers will be involved. There are many greats and it’s a great organization. However, we’ll see. It’s coming, albeit I’m not sure how it will finish. It will definitely arrive.

A few days before to James’ remarks, rumors circulated that the Golden State Warriors had made contact in an attempt to recruit the 20-time All-Star and four-time MVP out of Los Angeles. 

According to a report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday that cited unnamed sources, Golden State Warriors governor Joe Lacob approached the Lakers about signing James at the encouragement of Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is a client of Klutch Sports Group’s Rich Paul—who is also James’ agent.

Both general manager Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss of the Lakers expressed their desire to retain the four-time MVP and had no intention of trading him; nonetheless, Buss instructed Lacob to speak with Paul to get more information about James’ intentions, according to the source.

According to the article, Paul informed Lacob and Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. that James has no interest in being traded. It further said that James wants to stay a Laker and is focused on joining the Lakers in the summer, which is supported by his remarks on Sunday.

For the 2024–25 season, James has a $51.4 million player option with the Lakers.

James is 39 years old, and people often discuss when his playing days will end. However, James said that he isn’t sure how he wants to spend his last year of competition, whether he would make an announcement beforehand, or if he will just up and quit.

James said, “I was asked this question a couple [of] days ago.” Will you simply Tim Duncan it, or will you kind of do the goodbye tour? I have a 50/50 split. At times, I feel as if I owe it to my fans who have supported me for more than 20 years to be able to give them that special moment when every city, or whatever the situation may be, they give you your flowers, or whatever it is. That sounds very great.

On the other hand, I’ve never been very good at taking compliments. I have a strange feeling about it. I never really discussed it much, but I simply get a strange vibe about it. I’m not sure whether it means you have to travel to every city, however. I’ve seen the ones that [Michael Jordan] and [Kobe Bryant] had. I’ve seen plenty of men. I’m simply not sure how I would feel. I’m not sure whether I would be happy about it. I’m not sure.

Due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, James missed the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break on Wednesday, a 138-122 victory over the Utah Jazz. He stated that he has been receiving treatment over the past few days “to get my ankle as strong and as back to where I feel confident that I can finish off this last third of the season.”The Lakers’ next game is not until Thursday against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, he said, adding that he would seek more therapy on Monday and for the rest of the week.
James also restated his intention to compete for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, if his health permits. James competed for Team USA and earned bronze in 2004 as well as gold twice (in 2008 and 2012).

“I made a commitment to the Olympic team before the season, but it was obviously contingent upon my health,” he stated. I am currently in good enough condition to be a member of the team and contribute at the level I thought I could.

“Obviously, I have no idea what the future—if any—has in store for [the] postseason. In addition to 11 games, 5 1/2 weeks have passed, and more miles have been placed on these tires. One thing, however, is that I don’t have to shoulder the burden. In all the three teams I’ve been a part of, I have never been the team captain. I’m not sure who the whole squad will be yet, but based on some of the names, I know I won’t be under any pressure to lead the team when I get out there.