“I could still play five to seven years at a high level,” says LeBron James, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday.

LeBron James, 40 since Monday, sees himself ending up in LA. XinHua – Jayne Kamin-Oncea

On the other hand, there is one thing the Lakers star will not do…

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday, said he could play another “five to seven years” in the NBA at a “high level”, while admitting that he would probably retire before then.

The “King,” speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said that he plans to finish his NBA career with the Lakers and will not make a comeback, like Michael Jordan. The day he does quit, “it won't be because I can't play at a high level,”, James said.

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No Return to Jordan

“To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years, but I'm not going to,”, he added. Ending up in Los Angeles, where his son Bronnie has been playing since this season, “That's the plan”, James said. “I'd like it to end here. That's what I want. I came here to play the last leg of my career”, he insisted.

And could he be tempted to return to the courts, like the legend Jordan ? “No, no, no, no, no. But I'm definitely going to miss it”, he acknowledged. “But no, I'm not going to go away and come back then.”

A four-time NBA champion, James, now in his 22nd season, is currently averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game, on a 49.6% shooting percentage.