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LEBRON James is letting fans know that he isn’t ready to hang up his jersey just yet.
The Los Angeles Lakers star made it known that he still feels like he can compete with the best, even in his age 40 season.
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LeBron is coming off of a gold medal campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he proved to still be one of the best in the world.
He won player of the tournament at the Olympics, averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.
LeBron shared at Lakers media day that his performance at the Olympics gave him the confidence that he can continue to play at a high level in the NBA.
“At my age, the miles that I have, and to be able to play at the level I played at,” LeBron said.
“I do have a lot left in the tank, a lot. I can help the big part of a team win the ultimate.
“Whether it’s gold or the Larry O’Brien Trophy, or whatever the case may be, I can still get it done.
“So that was pretty cool, just from an individual standpoint, to know that you can be out there with the best players in the world and still be able to have a big part of it, not only on the floor but off the floor.
“So that was dope.”
NBA fans shared their hype for LeBron after his comments about being able to keep up in the league on social media.
“Dude is entering his 22nd season and still got A LOT more in the tank? GOAT debates are so silly,” one fan said.
“He ain’t calling it quits till he wins a ring with both his boys,” another fan said.
“Bout to be scary for a lot of teams,” a third fan said.
“Never doubted it for a second! The tank’s still full and the engine’s roaring,” a fourth fan said.
“If he stays healthy, he’s gonna play with Bryce now too. Incredible,” a fifth fan said.
While LeBron said that he feels like he can continue to go out and compete with the best of the best, he likely doesn’t have much time left in the league.
Time for LeBron to retire?
“At the end of the day, I hate to say it, but I believe this in my soul right now – I wish LeBron James would retire.
“Not because I don’t want to see more of LeBron James, not because I don’t appreciate LeBron James.
“But I honestly believe deep down inside, the more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it’s going to hurt his legacy and the more it’s going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument.
“As long as he steps foot on that floor, every single season, there’s gonna expectations of him winning a championship.
“And when he don’t do that, we’re gonna be looking at him saying: ‘Well what happened now?'”
ESPN star Kendrick Perkins speaking on First Take about LeBron James’ future in the NBA
His contract runs through the 2025-26 season, meaning he only has two years left in basketball unless he extends his contract once again.
LeBron has already played long enough to be on the same roster as his son, Bronny, but he has another son who is likely league-bound.
Bryce James will be eligible for the NBA Draft in 2026, but LeBron is not under contract for the 2026-27 season.
Bryce has already shared that he doesn’t think his dad will be in the NBA when he enters the league, but that may change with LeBron’s recent comments.
LeBron would be 42 years old in that season if he remained in the NBA that long.
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