“He should earn $50 million a year”: Patrick Beverley believes the NBA owes LeBron James a lot

LeBron James continues to redefine greatness deep into his career, further solidifying his legacy as one of basketball’s most iconic figures. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar and NBA’s all-time leading scorer remains a dominant force even in his 23rd season, consistently producing at an elite level while rewriting the record books.

At 41 years old, James shows little sign of slowing down. In fact, he recently added yet another historic milestone to his already unparalleled résumé by surpassing Robert Parish for the most regular-season games played in league history, suiting up for his 1,612th game. The achievement is a testament not only to his longevity but also to his remarkable durability and sustained excellence—qualities rarely seen in professional sports, particularly in a physically demanding league like the National Basketball Association.

Throughout his career, James has built a reputation for consistency, versatility, and an unmatched basketball IQ, enabling him to adapt his game as he ages. Even in the latter stages of his career, he continues to average over 20 points per game while contributing across multiple facets, proving he remains a cornerstone for the Lakers.

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With Father Time seemingly unable to catch up, former NBA guard Patrick Beverley recently shared his admiration for James, suggesting that the four-time champion could extend his career even further—possibly into his mid-40s—while still performing at a high level.

Per Lakers: Luka Doncic becomes the third-youngest player in NBA history to hit 15K.

1. LeBron James — 25 years, 79 days
2. Kevin Durant — 26 years, 78 days
3. Luka Dončić — 27 years, 31 days
4. Kobe Bryant — 27 years, 136 days
5. Wilt Chamberlain — 27 years, 156 days

— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) April 1, 2026

“Ohh, I don’t know. I got answers for a lot of s**t, but what he is doing, I don’t have no answers for. Part of me, I really honestly believe he can play until he is 45 years old. And when I say 45, I mean like at a high level. I mean, he is the third option and he is averaging a dub. 20, bro,” Beverley said on his YouTube show.

Beverley went on to emphasize not just James’ on-court impact, but also his immense influence on the business side of the league. Over more than two decades, James has been one of the NBA’s most marketable figures, driving global interest, television ratings, and commercial success.

“I mean, you know how I feel about it. I just feel like the NBA owes LeBron so much, business-wise, so much money. I think LeBron James has generated so many billions and billions of dollars to the NBA.

“He is one of the people in the NBA where he can be like, ‘Okay, yeah, I still want my $50 million a year, every year until I turn 46.’ I think that’s at least what the NBA can,” he added.

James’ longevity and continued excellence have sparked ongoing debates about his place in basketball history, with many already considering him the greatest player of all time. Beyond the accolades and statistics, his ability to remain relevant—and dominant—across multiple eras of the game sets him apart from his peers.

As he continues to add to his legacy, the question is no longer just how long James can play, but how much more history he can make before he finally decides to step away. Whether it’s breaking records, leading the Lakers, or inspiring the next generation of players, LeBron James remains the standard for greatness in modern basketball.

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