LeBron James has already broken every precedent for NBA longevity, but he’s not done yet. As it stands, LeBron has no immediate retirement plans, and one of his former teammates, Markieff Morris, says James still has another five years, at least, if he wants to stick around.
“He for sure can play to like 46. That’s for a fact,” said Morris on the Morris on the Million Dollar Worth of Game podcast. “He’s still having the best years of his career, about to turn 41. If he wanted to, he could play for four more years. He’s playing now at such a high level, he’s the second-best player on the team.”
There has been much speculation around when LeBron will finally call an end to his illustrious career. He’s been consistent for over 22 years, remaining a constant presence at the top of the NBA hierarchy. At 40 years old (turns 41 in December), his resume includes four championships, four MVPs, 21 All-Star appearances, 21 All-NBA appearances, and a place at the top of the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Last season, despite his record-setting age, James was still among the best players in the game with averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. While he may not be the same dominant force he once was, he’s still an elite-level player who is a focal point of the Lakers‘ offense.
Among his many achievements in the 2024-25 campaign was playing with his son, Bronny, who became the first father-son duo in NBA history. If he plays into next season, there’s a chance he could play with his youngest son, Bryce, as well.
Ultimately, nobody knows when King James will retire, only that it’s coming relatively soon. As he sits on an expiring contract, his future remains uncertain, and a decision on his retirement may not come until free agency next summer.
So far, LeBron has managed to adapt his game in order to postpone his decline, and there’s no reason to think he can’t do it for another 5 years or more. The Lakers’ superstar devotes countless resources to his body and health to stay in shape and keep up with his own standard of dominance.
As for where James could play out the remaining years, that much is still up in the air. With Luka Doncic holding the keys to the Lakers, it has put James in an awkward spot, but he still has options. If he desires a storybook ending, he could opt to return to Cleveland to finish where it all began.
He could win a championship with the Cavaliers, just like he did in 2016, and close out his career on an epic high note. Plus, it would put him back in the good graces of all his hometown fans.
There’s also the Golden State Warriors. With his old rival, Stephen Curry, James could form a powerhouse in San Francisco and try to win a championship alongside his old rival. He wouldn’t have to leave California and could stay close to all of his family and friends in LA.
No matter where he goes, every game that LeBron plays moving forward will be historic. At 40 years old, his play at this age is truly unprecedented, and if anyone can push an NBA career toward 50, it’s the King.
