LeBron James will turn 41 during the 2025-26 NBA season. Although his career is nearing its end, the Los Angeles Lakers veteran remains one of the most impactful players in the league.

In a recent interview with CGTN Sports Scene, the four-time champion made it clear to the outlet that he is not worried about concerns regarding his age. He explained that age is only a number, that he feels energized, and that every time he steps on the court he gives his all to his teammates, with the ultimate focus on winning.

This past summer, James had to choose between testing free agency or exercising his $52.6 million player option to remain in purple and gold. He chose the latter.

James will now enter the new season as the Lakers’ secondary offensive option, a role that never fully clicked alongside Anthony Davis. With Luka Doncic now on the roster, he can focus more on his playmaking and increasingly reliable perimeter shooting. When the moment calls for it, he still has the strength and physicality to attack the rim with authority. Even in his forties, he continues to be one of the most dominant talents in the game.

Together, LeBron and Doncic will begin the season aiming for a championship. No matter how it unfolds, next summer James will be an unrestricted free agent. That doesn’t necessarily mean he will leave the Lakers, but it does mean he will hold the power to decide whether to remain with the team or even in the league at all.

With four championships already to his name, James knows the window to add another is not endless. The Lakers appear to be building a championship-caliber roster, and if he believes they can realistically contend for a title in the short term, he won’t hesitate to keep competing for a fifth ring.