If 2025-26 is to be LeBron James last season in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, the all-time great is set to leave with a bang, not a whimper. James is on pace to further etch himself into the history books as one of the definitive figures the NBA has ever seen.
ESPN pointed out that the first major achievement which LeBron is in line for will come to him without breaking much of a sweat. Upon playing his first game in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21, James will have participated in his 23rd NBA season.
That will officially put him past Vince Carter for sole possession of the most career seasons by a player in NBA history. If James plays at least 50 contests, the Lakers superstar will also pass Robert Parish for the most regular-season games played.
Beyond that, there is also a milestone that will take a bit more effort for James to achieve. LeBron already passed fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
There is another major spot in the NBA record books that LeBron can unseat Kareem from. The legendary center holds the mark for most field goals made in NBA history at 15837. James, who has 15488 of his own, will have every opportunity to pass that, barring a significant drop-off in play.
LeBron James’ unmatched longevity continues to make him more legendary
When it comes to longevity, no one has really done it the way James has. Despite what some may try to tell you, the four-time NBA MVP continues to operate as a top 10 player in the league. That is something LeBron has done for a very long time.
Apart from his rookie season, James has been one of the 10 best players on the planet for every other year of his NBA career. Many of those seasons included him being the undeniable cream of the crop too.
The most generous analysis of James’ dominance would give him the benefit of the doubt as the league’s very best player from 2008 to 2020. The less giving assessment would still place him there from around 2010 to 2018. Either way, the uninterrupted reign at the top is incredibly impressive.
Only Nikola Jokic’s recent years have been able to offer a comparable glimpse at a superstar close to the level of sustained dominance that James had. However, Jokic’s strong five-year stretch is already facing a formidable challenge from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the crown of the league’s top guy.
With James likely to spend at least one more full season in purple and gold, Lakers fans will try to enjoy a superstar of the likes which the NBA may never see again. Perhaps all of these historic accolades can come with one other Larry O’Brien-sized achievement to add to LeBron’s resume.
