LeBron James
Getty
Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Golden State Warriors in March 2024
When you play 23 seasons, you’re bound to set some unusual statistical marks. Los Angeles Lakers forward and future Hall of Famer LeBron James has played more seasons of NBA basketball than any player in league history.
That longevity has produced one incredible stat that NBA reporter Tom Haberstroh noted after the Lakers’ 132–116 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. According to Haberstroh, Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen is the 1,822nd player James has played against in his career.
“There have been 5,384 players in NBA history,” Haberstroh tweeted, adding, “Which means that LeBron James has played against 33.8% of all players who have played in the NBA.”
While that mark pales in comparison to some of his other legendary accomplishments, like leading the NBA in career points, among many other records, seeing that James has played against more than a third of all NBA players is still wild to comprehend.
A Look Back at LeBron James’ Career
LeBron James
GettyLeBron James has earned over $580 million in his pro career
James started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being taken with the top overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He spent the first seven years of his NBA career there before leaving to join the Miami Heat, teaming up with friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He won two titles in four seasons in South Beach before returning home to the Cavs and eventually bringing a championship to Cleveland.
After four more years with the Cavaliers, James was on the move again, this time to Los Angeles. He is now in his eighth season with the Lakers and won his fourth NBA title in 2020. Many continue to speculate how many more years he has left in Hollywood—and in the NBA as a whole. His numbers have dipped this season, including an average of 22.7 points per game, his lowest since his rookie year (20.9).
James has already accomplished the rare feat of playing alongside his eldest son, Bronny James, who was drafted by the Lakers but has spent most of his time in the NBA’s G League.
He owns four NBA championships, with his most recent coming six years ago. Still, the Lakers appear poised for their strongest postseason run since the COVID bubble season.
Other Notable Players LeBron James Has Played With
Kyrie Irving LeBron James, Kyrie Irving trade
GettyLeBron James and Kyrie Irving while members of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James hasn’t just played against many of the NBA’s elite, he’s also played with them.
In addition to Wade and Bosh, James has shared the court with some of the league’s most notable players, including Shaquille O’Neal, Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving. The list is extensive.
He is currently teammates with Luka Doncic, who also appears destined for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
James will continue to add to his total number of opponents. If he plays a few more seasons, reaching 2,000 could be within reach. It seems hard to comprehend, but at this point, who is betting against it?