Lebron James is currently in his 20th career season in the NBA, and he is continuing to put up amazing numbers. Sure, they aren’t quite the numbers he put up in the prime of his career, but nobody on the planet is expecting him to do that. Just two weeks shy of his 38th birthday, the Laker forward is putting up some astonishing numbers.

He’s averaging 26.5 points per game to go along with over 8 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game so far this season.

James has said in recent interviews that he doesn’t look to retire anytime soon. His role will likely have to change into that of a role player in order to continue playing up until his early 40s. LeBron is also very likely motivated by his son Bronny, who he would very much want to play alongside one day.

James’ Role Will Have to Change

Although it won’t be for at least a season or two, LeBron will have to shift his role to one who serves as a mentor, and may even have to come off of the bench. If he wants to play 4-5 more seasons, he’ll have to start cutting back more on his minutes and become a role player, like other top players have done late in their careers.

This isn’t to say that he won’t be a crucial part of a team’s championship hopes, remember we’re talking about one of the top 2-3 players of all time. It just means that James will have to take a step back and cut down on minutes, which will allow for him to serve more in a mentor role to other young players and maybe even his own son, Bronny.

LeBron will be Motivated by His Son, Bronny

It’s well known that Lebron James’ son, Bronny James, is an up and coming basketball star and is one of the top players in the nation at the high school level. He is currently 18 and is in his senior year of high school. With a player required to be 19 years of age to enter the NBA Draft, Bronny will be eligible for the 2024 draft. This means that he could be playing in the NBA in as little as 2 years from now.

This has to give his father, LeBron, insane amounts of motivation to continue to stay healthy and be a top player in this league.

Lakers fans surely don’t have to worry about age and Father Time catching up to LeBron this yet, especially with the numbers he has been producing this season. However, it is time for them and fans of James to prepare for what the final seasons of his career may look like.

Read more about the NBA.