Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is on track to become the NBA’s all-time leader in made field goals next season, according to ESPN. Currently, James needs just 350 field goals to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who holds the record with 15,837 shots made over his Hall of Fame career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers.
Career Achievements and Current Performance
James, who already claimed the NBA’s all-time leading scorer title during the 2022-23 season by passing Abdul-Jabbar, has a distinguished career as a four-time NBA champion and four-time Finals MVP. His tenure has included stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (in two separate periods), Miami Heat, and the Lakers. James enters next season with impressive career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He is uniquely positioned as the only player in NBA history to rank among the top five all-time in both points and assists.
Future Prospects and Free Agency Speculation
Turning 41 in December, James is the NBA’s oldest active player. While it remains uncertain if he will continue to play beyond the 2025-26 season, an NBA executive anticipates several teams vying for his services if he opts to keep playing. James will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, his first time on the open market since 2018. The executive identified the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors as the most likely candidates to pursue him.
“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I’m looking at,”
the NBA executive stated.
“All three would have loved to trade for him this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money. Once he’s on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind.”
—NBA Executive
James’ Impact and What Lies Ahead
It will be captivating to watch whether James decides to retire after next season or extends his career into the 2026-27 season. Having entered the NBA in 2003, the basketball legend showed remarkable consistency last year, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 70 games with the Lakers. His shooting efficiency was notable, with 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from three-point range, and 78.2% at the free-throw line.
As James approaches this major milestone of becoming the NBA field goals leader, his legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history continues to grow, affecting both the league’s record books and the future of the teams interested in acquiring his talents.