Lakers LeBron James TALKS NBA FUTURE 'I Don't Have Much Time Left'

NEW YORK — LeBron James isn’t sure about his future in the NBA — but he knows retirement is approaching soon.

James scored 40 points and tied a career-high with nine 3-pointers in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Sunday, James was asked how long he plans to continue playing in the NBA.

"I'm not gonna play another 21 years, that's for damn sure," James said after Sunday's win, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. "But, not very long. I don't know when that door will close as far when I'll retire, but I don't have much time left."

The Los Angeles Lakers star, who turned 39 in December, has a $54.1 million player option on his contract for the 2024-25 season. My guess is he will be back for one more season before riding off into the sunset which will most likely include partial ownership of an NBA expansion in Las Vegas.

“My foot has felt a lot better,” James said. “I didn’t have much time to like really rep a lot last year because I had to make sure I could be on the floor running around or (not) putting much pounding of my foot on the floor. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to get on the floor. … And just trying to stay consistent with my shot, do the same shot every time. And just work. Just work work work work.”

For now, the Lakers hope James chooses to keep playing in Los Angeles next season. The player option decision deadline is June 29, according to Spotrac.