LeBron James stands out with his remarkable longevity as one of the best NBA players to ever play the game of basketball. As a result, former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Markieff Morris gave his take on how long the star forward will keep going.
James is approaching the 23rd year of his legendary NBA career, as he will turn 41 in December. Even as he slowly declines with age, he still puts on a show as one of the best players in the league.
Morris appeared on an Aug. 24 episode of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. He was with his twin brother Marcus, discussing their basketball journeys and their thoughts on the GOAT debate among other topics.
One of the topics they went over was about James, which Markieff had the pleasure of being his teammate. They played together on the Lakers from 2020 to 2021 before reuniting this past season. Morris had James’ age off by a little, with him being 40 but Morris thinks the veteran star can play four more years.
“What’s he right now 41, 42? He for sure can play until 46. That’s for a fact, that’s factual. He’s 42 and he’s still having the best years of his career, at 42,” Morris said at the 38:05 mark.
“He could play until 46. I’d say another four years if he wanted to. He could play four more years if he wanted to. He’s playing now at such a high level and he’s the second-best player on the team, so he’s the focal point.”
What Lies Ahead For LeBron James, Lakers
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Markieff Morris says ‘if he wanted to,’ which seems to be the question around LeBron James’ longevity. It’s not about losing the ability, but if he wants to keep playing that long.
The thing about that is James wouldn’t need to go that far. He has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players ever, with some believing him to be the best. He already holds multiple records that will prove to be extremely difficult for players today to get close to.
Accomplishing the feats James did requires incredible work ethic and body conditioning. Having the ability to avoid severe injuries while going through the grit-and-grind of every season is a rare trait for players, but it’s one that James has the special privilege of possessing.
James showcased strong form last season with the Lakers, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game after 70 appearances. He shot 51.3% from the field, including 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 78.2% from the free-throw line.
James still has the superstar talent to help a team make a pursuit for a championship. That is something he can do as the Lakers’ second option behind Luka Doncic.
The Lakers have retooled their roster this offseason, adding key players in the backcourt and frontcourt that will impact the team’s chances of success in the 2025-26 campaign. The road will be challenging, but it’s one that will be rewarding for James and Doncic if they can lead the squad to the mountaintop.
Markieff Morris Explains Why Lakers’ LeBron James Can Play Four More Years In NBA