National Basketball Association

LeBron James aiming to play with sons Bronny and Bryce

Updated Aug. 30, 2022 10:30 p.m. ET

In addition to his next-level basketball skills, LeBron James doubles as a time lord.

James remains at the height of his powers even as he approaches age 38, and he's shown very few signs of slowing down.

One of James' chief motivations for continuing to play is his desire to lace 'em up at the NBA level alongside his oldest son Bronny, and by all accounts, he's on track to do so. Playing with Bronny means James Sr. would have to remain in form for just a few more seasons (Bronny turns 18 in October — the minimum age to enter the NBA draft is 19).

But in a recent interview with "Sports Illustrated," James took his wishes a step further, and hinted at a desire to play with his younger son Bryce, who's entering his sophomore year at Sierra Canyon.

That reality would require James to stay in the league until at least age 43 — something he claims to be more than capable of.

"I’d definitely be looking at who got first-round picks in 2024, 2025, things of that nature; 2026, ’27. I pay attention to that type of stuff," James said in the cover story.

That statement prompted an inquiry about James' ambitions to play with Bryce, to which he responded: "I feel like I could play for quite a while. So it’s all up to my body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even a limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see."

James has long brimmed with confidence, and it's his mental prowess that's allowed him to dominate the game for so long. And though 43 seems like a long stretch, James has made it clear that he wouldn't be the only great to excel well into their 40s.

And though Bronny and Bryce have become two of the most famous amateur hoopers in the world (Bronny was called the most famous H.S. player ever by one outlet), James Sr. has made it clear that he doesn't want them to feel pressure from any predetermined expectations.

"I’ve always let them just see if they had a love for [basketball]," he said. "Because, at the end of the day, nothing is going to come to fruition if you’re just doing it because you feel like it’s what your parents are doing. Nah, it’s going to fizzle out too fast.

"We don’t even really talk about the future too much. I put it in the air because I like to talk to the basketball gods out there and see if things can come to fruition. I’ve always set out goals in my career, talked to the basketball gods, and they’ve listened to all of them. Hopefully they can listen to this last one, too."

Bronny has been a top 100 player in his class since his sophomore year and now sits in the top 50 according to several major scouting services. Bryce, on the other hand, appears to be still on the come-up.

Still, despite not suiting up at the varsity level yet, he recently picked up a D-1 offer from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania.