LeBron James has no plans to stick around the NBA just to play alongside his younger son, Bryce.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, 40, spoke at a press conference on Sept. 29 and was asked if he would extend his career long enough to share the court with Bryce, who just started his freshman season at the University of Arizona.
LeBron didn’t hesitate. “I’m not sitting here. No, I’m not waiting on Bryce,” he told reporters with a laugh.
The NBA legend, who is now entering his record-breaking 23rd season, admitted he doesn’t know exactly when he’ll retire, only saying it will be “soon.”
Still, questions continue to swirl about how long he’ll keep lacing up.
Last year, James signed on for another run with the Lakers and got the chance to share the court with his oldest son, Bronny, 20.
The pair made history in October when they played side by side in a Lakers preseason game, becoming the first father and son to ever share the NBA stage.
As for Bryce James, 18, he’s focused on starting his own college career in Tucson. LeBron acknowledged their timelines may never overlap.
“I don’t know what his timeline is. He’s his own young man now. He’s down in Tucson. We’ll see what happens this year, next year, you know,” the father of three said. “But he has his own timeline. I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up, but we’ll see.”
James, who turns 41 in December, said that while retirement is on the horizon, his immediate focus is on helping the Lakers compete for another title.
“It’s pretty cool to know how many miles I’ve got and still be able to play at a high level,” James said. “For me, age is kind of just a number, but it is reality, too. You look at the history of the game, there’s not been many guys at my age, especially going into Year 23, that have been able to play at a level like that. I just try not to take it for granted and just try to give the game as much as I can, inspire whoever I can.”
