LeBron Speaks On Ending Legacy With The Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James speaks on his intentions to end career with the Los Angeles Lakers, yet isn't detailing exactly when that will be.

The end is near for LeBron James and his current place in the NBA. The 39-year-old spoke ahead of his 20th appearance at the NBA All-Star game on Feb. 18 to state his hopes to remain part of the Los Angeles Lakers until he retires.

According to ESPN, LeBron spoke to reporters about where he stands in regards to his longstanding career, especially as he nears the oldest age one has ever played in the professional sports league, a record currently held by Vince Carter. Carter was 43 when he officially left the game after the 2019-2020 season. As for LeBron, he intends to stay a Laker as he is “very happy” with the organization and his accomplishments with the team. He helped earn them a 17th national title, his fifth, back in 2020.

“I am a Laker and I’m happy and been very happy being a Laker the last six years and hopefully it stays that way,” expressed James.

“But I don’t have the answer to how long it is or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully [it] is with the Lakers. It’s a great organization, so many greats. But we’ll see.”

However, even the 6-foot-9, 240-lb. athlete cannot escape the symptoms of getting older, noting how health remains his and the Los Angeles team’s top priority as the playoffs near.

“Trying 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,” James said. “I won’t be playing the entire game tonight, for sure. I can get out there and run around with the young guys for a little bit and then shut it down at some point to give my body, and my ankle more importantly, another opportunity to rest…The most important thing for me is definitely my health, where I’m at right now, where our team is leaning.”

How LeBron’s last season in the sport that made him a household name will go, however, remains up in the air. During the conference, the father of three recalled the question of whether he will take a “farewell tour” for his final year in the NBA.

“I’m 50-50, I’m going to be honest, because there’s times when I feel like I guess I owe it to my fans that have been along this journey with me for two decades plus, to be able to give them that moment where it’s every city and whatever the case may be and they give you your flowers or whatever the case may be. That seems cool.”

Fortunately for the fans of King James and the Lakers, neither he nor his legacy are stopping anytime soon, also mentioning his intentions to go for gold again with Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. His son Bronny, a freshman playing for USC, may also “go pro” following his first year as well.

For right now, LeBron is all about staying healthy and making it to the playoffs for another attempt at a sixth championship ring.