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.
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.
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.