By James Brown
18/08/2022, 07:47 PM
LeBron James just signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 38-year-old player will not only become the highest-earning NBA player, but this extension also means that he will be playing until he is at least 40 years old. Surpassing the 40-year mark isn't that great of an achievement, but the fact that LeBron entered the league as a teenager is. LeBron will have to play until 2024 to unlock that achievement, but after seeing him for the last 19 years, it's more than a guarantee.
LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003, being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the age of 18 (and 303 days). He was already a top prospect around the nation while playing for St. Vincent–St. Mary High School. He wasn't the youngest player to ever played in the NBA, as that achievement belongs to Andrew Bynum, as he entered the league at age 18 and 6 days. Still, LeBron James had a huge impact since he joined the Cavs.
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Now with his new extension, he is guaranteed to play at 40 years old or more. As said previously, reaching that mark isn't that impressive as at least 30 players have done it before him. Right now, Nat Hickey has the record of age as he played in the league until he was 45 years and 363 days old. LeBron still has a long way to go if he wants to surpass Hickey, but he just needs two more years to make history on his own.
None of the 30 plus players that have played past 40 years old entered the league as teenagers. Most of them were drafted or signed after turning 20. The fact that LeBron James was 18 when he reached the NBA and will still play after he turns 40 puts him in a category all by himself. Once the ‘King’ reaches that goal, he probably will want to go for the 46th mark and become the oldest player in NBA history.
LeBron James is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He might not be the player with the most titles, but might just be the player with the most individual records. Right now he is just shy of Kareem's all-scoring record, but he will probably break it during next season. In the end, James might retire as the top player in every individual category in basketball.
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