LeBron keen on finishing career with Lakers

FILE – Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gestures against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

MANILA, Philippines — Only time will tell as to when LeBron James’ legendary NBA career will end.

What seems certain now, however, is that he intends to finish his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I truly hope that I can finish my career with the Lakers,” James said on the SmartLess podcast while promoting the new “Space Jam” movie.

“And how many years that is, if it’s four, five, six, whatever, seven, I hope I can continue to play the game. I love being in LA, my family loves being in LA.”

James has won championships with two other franchises. He led the Miami Heat to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 before coming back to Cleveland to fulfill his promise of giving his hometown team its first-ever NBA championship in 2016.

But for the 36-year-old James, nothing beats playing for one of the most popular teams in all of sports at this stage of his career.

“Being with a historical franchise like the Lakers is something like, it’s like me being in ‘Space Jam’ now. I never thought it’d be possible,” said James.

The 17-time All-Star won his first title with the Lakers—his fourth overall—last year. He signed a two-year extension with the Lakers in December, a deal that will keep him in Los Angeles through the 2022-23 season.