LeBron James reveals reasons behind Lakers decision

It was an open secret, but now the King has confirmed it: LeBron James will continue playing for at least one more season. The living basketball legend – perhaps the greatest player of all time – will not retire just yet. Approaching his 41st birthday, he’s preparing to take on his 23rd NBA season, a historic record that will put him ahead of Vince Carter.

“My kids tell me, ‘Dad, keep chasing your dream… this is your dream. You’ve been here for us this whole time.’ When you have that kind of support, everything becomes a lot easier,” James said. He continues to write one of sport’s great final chapters – the story of a man who’s won four championships, played in 10 NBA Finals, and broken records for both precocity and now longevity. A once-in-a-generation talent and almost mythical figure whose impact reaches well beyond basketball.

Money-maker LeBron eyes more records

LeBron will stay with the Lakers, though under what conditions remains to be seen. He has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his player option worth over $54 million or to sign a new short-term deal (a long one is highly unlikely) that could lower his salary to give the team more cap flexibility. That option seems remote, given the NBA’s tradition of players maximizing their earnings – whether through contracts or endorsements. In 2022, the King became the first and only active player to reach billionaire status, with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. Across his career stints with the Cavaliers (twice), the Heat, and now the Lakers, he has earned nearly $540 million in playing contracts alone – more than any player in history. A figure in keeping with the NBA’s booming revenues from broadcast deals, which have disproportionately benefited the stars (and less so the league’s middle tier) under the latest collective bargaining agreement.

There are more longevity records within LeBron’s reach. One in particular is tantalizingly close: becoming the player with the most games played in NBA history. The current leader is Celtics icon Robert Parish, who played 1,611 games over 21 seasons. LeBron is on 1,562 – just 49 shy of tying that mark, and 50 from breaking it. A neat, round number that would earn him yet another well-deserved tribute. And barring any surprises, he’ll get there: James has surpassed that total in 21 of his 22 seasons, the lone exception being the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 campaign, when teams played just 72 games. Despite battling some physical issues in recent years, he still managed 71 and 70 games in the past two seasons, making the milestone very achievable.

Already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, with over 50,000 points combining regular season and playoffs, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season. In his 22nd year, he recorded 32 double-doubles and 10 triple-doubles. The only sign of age? It was the first time in two decades he didn’t average at least 25 points per game. Now, the next chapter begins after the disappointment of a first-round playoff exit to the Timberwolves (4-1), a series in which he still put up 25.4 points, 9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. A new season awaits, this time alongside Luka Dončić, and another shot at history. Whether or not it comes with a title chance remains to be seen. But the King says his knee feels fine, his body is in great shape, and he’ll be ready for training camp – for season number 23 in the NBA. No small feat.

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