How long can LeBron realistically play?

[Professor Emeritus]

A friend of mine (not a LBJ stan) halfway seriously suggested that LeBron would be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2033...which would mean he had played until he was 45.

Now AD just said he wants to go to 9 more Finals with Bron (obviously hyperbole).

There's no way LeBron will play 27 seasons of basketball. But....could he?


Jokic is unathletic as fukk, never leaves his feet or runs with any speed, and is a star player. LeBron is a few inches shorter, but otherwise is there anything that Jokic can do right now that LeBron won't still be able to do 10 years from now? What would keep him from putting up 18-8-8 as a vet presence and 2nd/3rd option on a title team?

I'm thinking about 1991 Magic who basically didn't challenge shots but was still the best player on a Finals favorite....2011 Jason Kidd who was still able to do a little bit of everything at 38yo without having nearly LeBron's size....2014 Duncan who had one leg but led his team to a ring...at what age is LeBron's skill set actually going to drop below those guys?

This team if AD doesn't get injured, someone like Zach LaVine signs with them in a year, LBJ eventually takes a salary cut so more talent can keep coming in....

 

[Surreal]

Bron may play 2 more years

 

[ALonelyDad]

He still at top, probably will be top 5 next year too..hard to see him getting some Deron Williams random falloff. Only thing that might stop him is a injury (groin). I think he can play good basketball for 5 more years

 

[Admiral Ackbar]

I think he can play into his 40s

 

[easymoneysniper]

He is tall so that helps, but not tall enough to be slow and still be effective

Hopefully till 40 in some capacity. Depends on how much he wants to play - if he’s happy with reduced roles

He’s chasing the points total so I would guess he wants to play a bit more

 

[360Waves]

Dude just came 2nd in MVP voting at 35 going on 36. Still gets his head above the rim on dunks and is a 99th percentile athlete. lol, that mf can play till 42 if he wants to.

 

[RadaMillz]

He will retire with 6 rings

 

[MooseMouthMthafuga]

I think 2 yrs....After that he'll start looking like Magic when he came back in '96.Without the hook shot, tho.


So maybe stretch it to 3 yrs.

 

[King]

He can do 2-3 years on the Lakers, but will get traded. I can see him pushing it to 5-6 as a starter for an average team.

 

[Bledswole]

I think he’s got 3 GOOD years left

 

[Sccit]

 

[Piff Huxtable]

2014 Duncan who had one leg but led his team to a ring

yeah right, and Mike Smrek led the 1988 Lakers to a ring

 

[Flight]

I think he has 2-3 elite years left.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

yeah right, and Mike Smrek led the 1988 Lakers to a ring

Tim Duncan was obviously the leader of the 2014 Spurs, you a youngin breh?

He was literally named the best leader in the league by NBA GM's not only that year but the next year as well:

NBA.com 2014-15 GM Survey

Which player is the best leader?
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 35.7%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers -- 28.6%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland -- 14.3%
4. Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn -- 10.7%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers
Last year: Tim Duncan -- 30.0%



Duncan was also voted the #1 power forward in the NBA by the GMs in 2014. He got MVP votes in both 2014 and 2015 and made All-Star, 3rd-team All-NBA, and 2nd-team All-Defensive in 2015. Averaged 15-10-2 on 57% shooting in the NBA Finals while holding Bosh to 14-5-1, and could have put up even bigger numbers if he didn't play just 30 minutes/game due to the blowouts. (He had 21-10-3 and 18-15-1 in the two games that went the distance.) Talking like he was just some scrub is weirdo shyt.

Claim he wasn't the Spurs' leader when he was literally considered the best leader in the entire NBA.

 

[T’Challa’s Heir]

If he eventually takes a Vince Carter role, dude may play till he’s 50. Although at this rate, I think he may stick around to give the all time assist record a run.