Fans don’t know what to expect from LeBron James heading into Year 23. The question that haunts every Lakers conversation isn’t about his talent — it’s about time itself. Can a 40-year-old superstar still carry championship dreams, or are we watching the final act of basketball’s most durable legend?

After winning an NBA championship in 2020, James has been unable to help his team get closer to another title over the past few years. As a result, many of his critics have attempted to claim that James is “washed” and no longer an impactful player in the league.

However, former Los Angeles Lakers player Wesley Johnson felt very differently. During a recent interview, the former NBA star spoke about James and his personal expectations for the four-time champion next season.

The media have undoubtedly pondered this question for at least half a decade. However, James is in uncharted territory as the oldest player to average more than 20 points a game, making it difficult to predict when he will retire from basketball.

While most stars tend to come off the bench to put up single-digit performances under heavy minutes restrictions at this stage in their careers, it is clear that James is nowhere close to that point and could continue playing for a few more seasons. However, it is certainly possible for him to want to leave on a high note, meaning that retiring after Year 23 would be a fitting ending.