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LeBron James has brushed aside questions about retirement as the 41-year-old prepares to enter a record-extending 24th NBA season, saying his attention remains firmly on the present after joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking at the Sixers' media day Monday, James declined to look beyond the season ahead, arguing that thinking too far into the future would take away from what he can still accomplish now.
"I'm not going to speak to the future right now; I'd be doing myself a disservice," James said.
He added that reaching his 24th season had made him more determined to take things as they come rather than map out the final stages of his career.
"Me trying to focus on what my future looks like, I wouldn't be giving myself grace. I'm more in the present now, understanding that I'm in year 24 ... I just like being in the moment, and we'll see what happens."
James moved to Philadelphia this summer on a two-year, $8 million contract after earning $52.6 million in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, representing the biggest pay cut in NBA history.
Despite the dramatic reduction in salary, James made clear that his move to the Sixers is tied to competing for another championship rather than simply extending his career.
The four-time NBA champion said he hopes to pass on the experience and knowledge built up across more than two decades in the league, particularly to teammates who are still trying to reach milestones he has already experienced.
"I hope that I can bring that experience, bring that knowledge, bring the blueprint to the guys that's trying to accomplish some things that they haven't done in their career," he said.
James added that his approach to preparation and daily work could help set an example throughout the roster.
The veteran also left little doubt about how far he expects Philadelphia to go, pointing to the personal sacrifice involved in starting another chapter of his career away from his family.
"I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round," James said. "I know that for sure. Work needs to be done, and I'm ready to get to work."
Philadelphia went 45-37 last season before being swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. The franchise has not lifted the NBA championship trophy since 1983.
James arrives with one of the most decorated resumes in league history. Known widely as "King James," he is the NBA's all-time leading scorer as well as a four-time NBA champion, four-time Most Valuable Player and four-time Finals MVP.
Before joining Philadelphia, James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
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