At 40, LeBron James acknowledged he’s in the twilight of his legendary career but remains focused as he embarks on a historic 23rd NBA season.
When LeBron James started the Los Angeles Lakers’ Media Day in his gold no. 23 jersey, it put the four-time champion on the cusp of another historic milestone.
Once the 2025-26 NBA season tips off next month, James will become the only player in league history to play in 23 seasons, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Vince Carter.
“I’m excited about today. I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season,” James told reporters.
At 40, James is on the latter half of his legendary career and admitted he doesn’t know exactly when it will end, but he is certain about one thing.
“I know it’s a lot sooner than later,” he said.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer said he is focused on staying present in the moment as the Lakers regroup to chase their 18th championship.
“Whatever the journey lays out this year, I’m super invested. I’m just super appreciative of the fact that I get to come up here for another media day and talk to you guys,” James said.
James, who averaged 24.4 points per game last season, said his love for basketball — and his hunger to keep improving — remains as strong as ever.
His body has miles on it, but his drive has not faded.
“It’s year 23 for me. I’ve got a lot of miles on my game," LeBron bared.
"I’ve trained throughout the offseason, but just my presence is going to be important as well — making sure that even if I’m not on the floor, I’m always in tune with what we’re doing so I know what’s going on at all times,” James added.
Last season, the Lakers finished 50-32 — their first 50-win regular season since winning the title in 2020 — and earned the no. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference under head coach JJ Reddick.
However, the Lakers got booted in the opening round by the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Despite another early playoff exit, James’ love for basketball has evolved into a love for the grind itself — the hours in the gym, the recovery, the constant pursuit of peak form.
“The thing still pushing me is the fact that my love for the game is still high, and my love for the process is even higher. No matter the good, the bad or the ugly, I still love that process.”
With another 82-game schedule ahead, James said his focus is on preparing his body for the battles to come. But while he remains a key figure on the Lakers, LeBron will not head into the season alone.
Earlier this year, the Lakers stunned the league by trading for Luka Doncic.
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Now, with a full training camp alongside the Slovenian star, plus the additions of veteran guard Marcus Smart and center Deandre Ayton, James is eyeing the possibilities and sounded optimistic about the Lakers' offseason moves.
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“The motivation to play alongside Luka every night, that’s super motivating. That’s gonna push me to be the best version of myself. We’re gonna feed off each other,” the four-time champion said, who admitted how much EuroBasket he watched in order to monitor what his star teammate was doing abroad.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.