After 18 seasons and three league-shaking moves, LeBron James says he will retire as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers if all goes according to plan.
"I truly hope that I can finish my career with the Lakers," the four-time champion told Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett on the "SmartLess" podcast. "And how many years that is, if it's four, five, six, whatever, seven, I hope I can continue to play the game."
James has made similar commitments at previous career stops, however. After leaving the Miami Heat to return to his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, James told then-CNN broadcaster Rachel Nichols, "I plan on finishing my career back home (in Cleveland)."
But after four straight Finals appearances - including the Cavaliers' first-ever title victory in 2016 - James left the franchise for a second time, opting to sign a four-year, $154-million deal with the Lakers.
The extension signed in December 2020 will keep him in purple and gold through at least 2023.
"I love being in L.A., my family loves being in L.A.," James said. "Being with a historical franchise like the Lakers is something like - it's like me being in 'Space Jam' now. I never thought it'd be possible."
