LeBron James will make several forms of history during the 2024-25 NBA regular season. He'll join Vince Carter as the only players to reach 22 seasons played, will form the first father-son duo in Association history with Bronny James, and will continue to extend his lead on the all-time scoring list.
Beyond the obvious headline-stealing moments, however, are a series of milestones that will put James' greatness into even clearer perspective.
James has spent his NBA career casually producing statistics that most struggle to reach on their best night. Along the way, he's picked up four MVP awards, four championships, four Finals MVP honors, and a record-shattering 20 All-NBA appearances.
Given everything that he's already accomplished, it's hard to imagine James' legacy growing to any greater heights than it already has.
That could transpire as soon as the 2024-25 regular season, however, with three key milestones within reach. In each scenario, James would be able to further establish himself as perhaps the most statistically dominant player in NBA history.
That all begins with a feat that would put him several steps closer to playing more games than any player in the history of the Association.
3. Most Games Played
James will enter the 2024-25 regular season at No. 6 all-time in total games played. He'll become the sixth player to reach 1,500 career appearances with his eighth showing of the year, and his rise up the list of the kings of longevity could be sudden from there.
James currently trails Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and John Stockton in regular season games played—and could pass all but Parish by the end of the season.
If James appears in 69 games in 2024-25, he'll surpass Abdul-Jabbar for No. 2 in career games played in NBA history. He'll need to appear in just 50 take the No. 3 spot from Carter, 31 to leapfrog Nowitzki at No. 4, and 13 to overtake Stockton for No. 5.
Every one of those targets is realistic—and James is just 120 games shy of passing Parish for No. 1 all-time, meaning he could secure the top spot in 2025-26.
2. All-Time Three-Point Field Goals
One of the most remarkable aspects of James' success has been the transformation of his three-point shot. He buried just 29.0 percent of his attempts as a rookie and converted at an accumulated clip of 32.9 percent over his first eight seasons.
Since 2011-12, however, James has elevated his game and increased his percentage to 36.0 percent across 13 seasons—and the fruits of that labor could be revealed in 2024-25.
James enters the 2024-25 season at No. 8 all-time in career three-point field goals made. He'll pass Kyle Korver for No. 7 if he converts 41 threes this season, and could potentially eclipse Reggie Miller's mark of 2,560, as well.
Four active players remain ahead of James, and will likely make too many of their own for James to pass them, but James could still be No. 6 all-time by the end of the season.
1. All-Time Steals
Few off-ball defenders have struck as much fear in the hearts of offensive players as James. Between his chase-down blocks and his explosiveness in the passing lanes, the four-time MVP has been tormenting opposing scorers and playmakers for decades.
In 2024-25, James could climb as high as No. 6 all-time in career steals if he simply emulates what he's produced in recent seasons.
James will pass Scottie Pippen for No. 7 in total steals if he comes up with at least 33 in 2024-25. He won't need too many more to surpass Maurice Cheeks at No. 6, as the deficit is currently 36 for The King to attain sole possession of that spot.
Considering James tallied 89 steals in 2024-25, it's a safe bet that he'll continue his pursuit of a top-five all-time ranking in yet another statistical category this season.