“I won’t be playing for a long time. It won’t be for another twenty-one years, that’s for sure. I don’t know when the end will come, but I don’t have much time left,” James told reporters.
His two-year, $97 million contract with the Lakers expires after the season, with a player option for next year. According to media speculation, it will probably continue. In the past, the four-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic champion said that he would like to play the last season in the same team with his son. Nineteen-year-old Bronny can go to the draft this year, Bryce, who is three years younger, could be selected by one of the clubs in 2026 at the earliest.
In his 1,485th career game, James tied a career high with nine 3-pointers in 10 attempts. “It’s hard to do anything about it,” commented Cam Thomas, who was Brooklyn’s best scorer with 30 points, commenting on his long-range shooting record.
James is shooting a career-best 41.6 percent from three-point range this season. With age, the four-time MVP has adapted his game, which is no longer as physical.
“I don’t need to rely on threes because I can do enough. I can score anywhere once I cross half court. But you have to move and work on things that are changing in the league. And this competition is very much about threes,” James stated. “I’m not one of those guys who shoot 15 threes a game. But I want to be respected and teams have to count on me when playing from the outside,” he added.
