LeBron James Olympics comments put Lakers career into perspective

LeBron James has been playing at the highest level for longer than eight NBA players have been alive. It's one of the wildest statistics in sports, speaking volumes to the unparalelled longevity of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

As James prepares for one last run with Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics, however, it's becoming clear how close to the end of his career James really is.

James will play his 21st NBA season in 2024-25 and will turn 40 years of age in December. Before that, he'll be joining Team USA for one last run at the Olympics, hoping to secure a third gold medal—his first since 2012.

In an interview with Craig Melvin of NBC's TODAY (h/t Drew Weisholtz of TODAY.com), James openly stated that he will not be playing for Team USA at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“No, I won’t be there,” he said. “I’m getting the hell out of that city when the Olympics come to Los Angeles,” he added, laughing. “All right, I’ll live there all year. I will not be in Los Angeles in ‘28. I’m getting out of there.”

The comment puts into perspective just how little time the Lakers have left with James on their roster.

LeBron James will not play in the 2028 Olympics

James is still performing at an exceptionally high level. In 2023-24, he appeared in 71 games and averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 three-point field goals made, shooting a career-best 41.0 percent from beyond the arc.

James ultimately secured his record-extending 20th career All-NBA nod, thus further solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in basketball history.

James recently re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year deal worth $101,355,998. The contract includes a player option for the second season, however, meaning he could become a free agent all over again as soon as 2025.

The bigger question than potential free agency, however, is whether James will still be in the NBA by the next Summer Olympics.

If James were to continue playing until 2028, he would be a 44-year-old NBA player. If anyone's capable of doing so, it's the physical anomaly who has defied what sports fans know about an athlete's limits at every turn.

For as incredible as James is, however, it's hard to imagine something that has never previously transpired—even with someone who tends to rewrite history.

Acknowledging that even James has limits means it's not just time to pass the torch to Anthony Davis. Instead, it's time to begin planning for a Lakers team that doesn't have the four-time MVP on it at all—albeit while still factoring in his contributions in the short term.

James will be back with the Lakers in 2024-25, but it's as clear as ever that the end of an incomparable NBA career is nearing.