LeBron James Sends Message Before What Could Be Final Season in NBA

On Thursday, James took to social media to send a strong message about his outlook for Year 23, reflecting on the legacy his career has built so far during an advertisement with Indeed.

"Was up early thinking!! 23 years in the league... the ups, the downs and everything we accomplished along the way," James wrote on X. "What if I never got that first opportunity to show what I could do?!?!"

While LeBron James has not made any firm decision about his future, he has made it clear that the end is near—and that he has no interest in playing until the “wheels fall off” like some players.

“Obviously, it’s the mind — wherever the mind is, that’s where the rest of my body’s gonna go, whatever the case may be,” James said back in November. “I don’t know. I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. I don’t know how many years that is, if it’s one year or two years, whatever the case may be.

“I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy.”

Despite nearing the end of his career, James remains one of the league’s best players. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds across 70 games.

The Akron, Ohio, native has nothing left to prove to the basketball world. He’s already cemented himself as one of the greatest players—and athletes—of all time. Still, he remains driven by the pursuit of another championship.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” James’ agent Rich Paul told ESPN this summer. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers a critical part of his career.”