LeBron James has revealed he wants to end his basketball career with the LA Lakers - despite stressing that he understands how the 'business' side of the sport works.
The NBA icon, who turned 40 on Monday, discussed his future with a group of reporters on his birthday as the Lakers prepare to face his former team the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year's Eve.
When asked if he envisages himself retiring in Los Angeles, LeBron insisted he would love for that to be the case.
However, he then dropped a subtle hint that basketball politics could deny him that fairytale ending.
'I think that's the plan,' LeBron said about retiring as a Laker. 'I would love for it to end here, that would be the plan.
'I came here to play my last stage of my career and to finish it off here, but I'm also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well. I know the business of basketball.
LeBron James has revealed he wants to end his basketball career with the LA Lakers
The all-time basketball great was discussing his future in the sport after turning 40
'But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself, and hopefully I don’t have to go nowhere before my career is over.'
As for how long his career could go on for, the four-time NBA champion believes he could spend at least another half-decade operating at the top level.
'It won't be because I can't play this game at a high level,' LeBron said when asked what could lead him to retirement.
'To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years. If I wanted to, but I'm not gonna do that.'
James has cemented a legacy as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time in his remarkable 22-year career.
To list some of his accolades; he is already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has a place in the GOAT conversation with Michael Jordan, most minutes played, four NBA championships and three Olympic gold medals, plus 20 and likely soon to be 21 All-Star selections.
Having turned 40, the Lakers great is also poised to become the first ever player to step onto an NBA court in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s.
