LeBron James addresses retirement and how much he has left in the tank

LeBron James is preparing for a season during which he will tie the all-time record for seasons played. It's a feat that speaks for itself, as James will match Vince Carter at 22 years in the NBA—and isn't showing signs of slowing down.

For as incredible as James' history-defying longevity has been to witness, however, Father Time being undefeated is more than a cliché—it's one of the few indisputible facts of life.

James is currently waging a war against Father Time that has yielded greater results than any NBA player has ever produced. He's not only coming off of yet another All-NBA campaign, but took a starring role at the Olympics earlier this summer.

During the Lakers' Media Day press conferences, James fielded a question about retiring from the NBA and answered by stating that he's embracing the opportunity to live in the moments as they come.

James offered a bit more insight into the thought process behind his potential retirement by stating how the Olympics have established how much he has left in the tank.

It's not a concrete statement, nor does it mean he can't change his mind between now and next summer, but James doesn't seem to be thinking of retiring any time soon.

LeBron James has "a lot [left] in the tank"

James will turn 40 in December, but the past 12 months have done nothing to indicate the end is near. He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per game, and shot a career-best 41.0 percent from beyond the arc.

In the process, James secured All-NBA Third Team recognition, thus extending the record he already owns with a 20th career All-NBA nod.

Earlier this summer, James found a way to do the unthinkable by improving an already iron-clad résumé. He won a third career Olympic gold medal with Team USA and took home the 2024 Olympics MVP award for his efforts.

Playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world, James looked like the four-time MVP he somehow continues to resemble at 39 years of age.

In 2024-25, James will be trusted once more to provide his team with an All-NBA level of play. Anthony Davis has been penciled in as the hub of the offense under first-year head coach JJ Redick, but James will continue to shoulder a heavy workload.

By all means and measures, it's an entirely irrational approach for a team to take with a player who will turn 40 just two months into the 2024-25 regular season—but James is an abnormal case study.

With Davis leading the offense and the likes of Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell revolving around him, the Lakers have the assets to play at a high level. James continues to be the best playmaker and perimeter scorer on the team, however, and his uncanny ability to extend his career will be valued in kind.

Simplifying the game for James will be a priority, but after a remarkable summer, the 39-year-old doesn't seem to be considering the end when success is still attainable.