LeBron James Talks Retirement and Says He’s ‘Not Going to Be Playing Much Longer’

"I'm not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor," the Lakers star told reporters

Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty LeBron James  of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to fans on Oct. 6, 2024

Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to fans on Oct. 6, 2024

LeBron James is sharing new thoughts about his eventual retirement from basketball.

The NBA superstar — who turns 40 in December — spoke to reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after the Lakers' 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies about his eventual retirement from basketball.

"I'm not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest." James said, per Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports.

He continued, "One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not."

Related: LeBron James Shares the Court with Bronny in Historic First NBA Game with a Father-Son Duo

The Lakers star — who made history with his son Bronny this season as the first father-son duo to share an NBA court — said he doesn't want to be in the league past his prime. "I'm not going to be that guy," James told reporters.

"I'm not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor."

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 6, 2024

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 6, 2024

Related: Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley Say Bronny James Needs to Focus 'on Getting Better' After NBA Debut

James scored 35 points in Wednesday's win over Memphis, along with 14 assists and 12 rebounds for the Lakers victory.

Bronny, meanwhile, is playing with the Lakers' G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers. The rookie — who recently went Instagram-official with girlfriend Parker Whitfield — will shuttle between the Lakers teams, according to ESPN.

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Head coach JJ Redick said that the team had been planning to have Bronny play with the South Bay roster since they drafted him in April.

"The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. Rob and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that," Redick said in October, according to the Associated Press.

On Oct. 30, Bronny scored his first official points in the NBA during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where his father is from and played for 11 seasons (in two separate stints).