LeBron James is turning forty years old in December, but he doesn’t appear to be slowing down or losing his position as the best player in the fantasy basketball league.
As the third-best small forward for the 2024–25 NBA season, according to recent appraisals, he continues to be a valuable asset for the Los Angeles Lakers and ambitious fantasy managers despite being in his 23rd year of professional basketball.
Last season, James had an incredible season for the Lakers despite dealing with the typical obstacles that come with becoming older. He scored an amazing 25.7 points per game on average while playing in 71 games. He shot brilliantly, with impressive splits of.540/.410/.750. He also averaged 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game, which strengthened his standing as an all-around player who can influence several facets of the game.
But given his previous injury history—he has missed 22.2 games a year on average over the last five seasons—teams who depend on him for performance are concerned about his longevity.
Analysts speculate that the Lakers’ limited offseason roster additions could result in a greater reliance on both James and Anthony Davis. Yahoo Sports Fantasy Analyst Dan Titus discussed the Lakers’ predicament. “The Lakers didn’t do much to upgrade their roster in the offseason, which means that once again, they’ll be heavily dependent on Anthony Davis and the oldest player in the league, LeBron James,” says Titus. “King James is still performing at a high level, but be cautious that Father Time can strike at any time.”
Analysts speculate that the Lakers’ limited offseason roster additions could result in a greater reliance on both James and Anthony Davis. Yahoo Sports Fantasy Analyst Dan Titus discussed the Lakers’ predicament. “The Lakers didn’t do much to upgrade their roster in the offseason, which means that once again, they’ll be heavily dependent on Anthony Davis and the oldest player in the league, LeBron James,” says Titus. “King James is still performing at a high level, but be cautious that Father Time can strike at any time.”
This dynamic highlights James’s expectations and pressures as the Lakers try to compete in the challenging Western Conference. Even though James is still a powerful player in the league, the situation for small forwards is changing. Emerging talent such as Franz Wagner and Jalen Williams are becoming more well-known, suggesting a possible generational change.
Even though James is still very much in the picture, it’s clear that the new generation of players is improving significantly in terms of ability and output. The rising depth at the small forward position is highlighted by Titus’s comments on these up-and-coming players, which encourages veterans like James to keep giving their all. James’s dedication to achieving his best work is one of his most impressive professional qualities.
His commitment to fitness and health is demonstrated by his annual expenditure of about $1.5 million on his physique, which is crucial given the rigors of an NBA season. However, the number of years he has spent in the league makes one wonder how long he can continue to play at this level.