How long can this man go? After 22 seasons, 4 NBA titles, 4 MVPs, and three consecutive triple-doubles at 39, LeBron James prevails as one of the most effective players in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers will have a huge void to fill if he leaves the 94 x 50 feet next year or the year after. Sometimes, you just can’t be replaced with his level of dominance. With the fitness levels of a guy in their late 20s, James wants his 5th NBA title. But one must ask – how long this can go on?

Apart from losing a bit of pace, LeBron steamrolls to the lane like no one’s there. The retirement rumors have come in thick and fast, certainly after he played with his son. And he gave some views about his retirement plans after the win against the Grizzlies. In a post-match presser, James expressed his motivation to keep going and if the end was near, to hang up his sneakers.

“Well, it’s not me, obviously. It’s the mind. Wherever my mind is, is how the rest of my body is going to go, whatever the case may be, I don’t know. Not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. One year, two years, whatever the case may be,” said LeBron, looking like it’s just another field day in the locker room.

He turns 40 on December 30th but the physical condition looks as impressive as he came to the league. You can flip the history pages of the NBA to see players who go well into their 40s to play the game. Notably, Slam Dunk champion Vince Carter played until he turned 43, moving around 8 teams and finally calling it quits. At the end of his career, he started slowing down. No dig on his fitness though, don’t get me wrong.

But sometimes, your body can’t handle more. Well, LeBron has no plans to stay in the game for that long. He detailed, “I said the other night that I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy and I’m not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor.” Well, in the age of setting records, where does he rank amongst the oldest players to play in this league?

LeBron James knocking on the doors of the oldest NBA players ever!

Firstly, the oldest player to grace the NBA court was Nat Hickey. How long did he play? Until he turned 45 and 363 days, just one day short of 46, barring any leap years. He started his career in 1921 and retired in 1948 while playing for the Providence Steamrollers. 2003 NBA champion Kevin Willis played until 44, and the latest entrant to the list was LeBron’s old teammate, Udonis Haslem. He retired in 2023 at the age of 42.

If you see the trajectory of these players, most ended their careers while coming off the bench or not playing a major role for their teams in the twilight years of their careers. Therefore, LBJ doesn’t want all the smoke. He wants to leave the game on a high.

The Lakers look satisfactory this season under JJ Redick’s leadership. They lie 6th in the Western Conference with a 7-4 record and are looking to make a difference. However, it depends on how healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain. If they don’t perform at the level they do, they could slide well below.

For now, LeBron looks pumped!