LeBron James is the epitome of an age-defying NBA superstar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> phenom is no longer the franchise\u2019s go-to playmaker, his multi-faceted contributions are needed for Los Angeles to have a chance of prevailing in the postseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, according to a retirement prediction made by James\u2019 former NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> teammate, the four-time NBA champion may not last much longer<\/a> in the big leagues.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how much longer (James will play) \u2014 whether it\u2019s the end of this year (that he retires), I don\u2019t think it will be,\u201d Kevin Love told Fox Sports\u2019 Melissa Rohlin last Wednesday. \u201cBut at the end of next year, there\u2019s a high likelihood that will be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to make assumptions on what he\u2019s thinking or what he\u2019s feeling or how his family is feeling. But it\u2019s coming sooner rather than later, and he\u2019s been pretty outspoken about that.\u201d<\/p>\n James, who was sidelined for the Lakers\u2019 first 14 outings due to sciatica, seems to adhere to a \u2018play it by ear\u2019 approach as it relates to his retirement from the NBA.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once the future Hall of Famer feels as though his NBA career has run its course and he has nothing left to give the game of basketball, fans should be on the lookout for an emotional retirement announcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n For now, though, James has his sights on helping the Lakers secure their 18th championship in franchise history. Beyond that, James\u2019 NBA future is unclear.<\/p>\n