The King Speaks: 5 Shocking Revelations LeBron James Just Dropped at Fanatics Fest

LeBron James has basketball fans and the entire NBA in a chokehold as they wait to learn where the next stop of his illustrious career will be.

​In his first major public appearance since officially parting ways with the Los Angeles Lakers, James transformed Fanatics Fest NYC into the undisputed center of the basketball universe. Taking the stage at a packed Javits Center, James recorded a live episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast alongside co-host Tyrese Haliburton. “The King” also held court with Boardroom’s Rich Kleiman at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan.  Here are five Bombshells LeBron James dropped at Fanatics Fest.

He Has a Timeline For Retirement

​For the first time, James shared a definitive window on when he plans to step off the court for good. Reflecting on his upcoming 24th season in the NBA, he openly admitted he is entering the final stretch of his career as a player.

“It’s a big decision for not only myself but for my family as well…for where I want to spend the last part of my career. The last year or the last two years of my NBA career,” he said.

He Plans to Make His Decision Very Soon

Although he didn’t announce the team he’ll be playing for, James did acknowledge that he will make his decision sooner rather than later. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors are all reported to be in the running.

“I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,“ James promised fans.

He Could Score 10 Points a Game at 65 Years Old

​The end of James’ playing days may be the talk of the timelines these days, but he claims he could still be a contributor in the NBA when it’s time for him to apply for Social Security benefits. When Haliburton asked how long he could play and score 10 points a game, Bron said he believes he could still put points on the board when he’s 65 years old!

“I could average 10 points in the league for a long time. Like a long time. 65 or something like that,” James said. “I don’t get fouls called for me anymore, so I would say 3 layups and 4 FTs, but they don’t call fouls for me. So if I get 2/3 layups a half, that’s 12 points right there. Hailburton responded, “I believe you.”

Social Media Disrespect is His Fuel For the Upcoming Season

Even in his 40s, James is still as competitive as ever. As he looks for ways to motivate himself, social media is a major source of inspiration. James told the crowd that the naysayers on social media, who say he will no longer be a major factor or will find himself stuck in the Play-In tournament next season, drive him to do his best.

“I’m seeing something on social media the other day that, wherever I go, we may be in the Play-In or some stuff like that, and I’m not a factor anymore,” said James. “ So maybe that as well, too, is a little motivation.”

JAY-Z is His ‘Big Brother’ and One of His ‘Biggest Inspirations’

Speaking at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit with Rich Klineman, James shared how much impact JAY-Z has had on his career in basketball and business.

“He moved how a person that knows who he is and what he brings to the table is supposed to move,” he said Thursday. “From the business side, to the way he talked, to the way he greeted people, it was just an aura about him and a professionalism in his respective genre that we all kind of learned, and we all kind of took to this point now.”

James went on to say that he keeps the rapper in mind whenever he’s faced with a big decision.

“I say [Michael Jordan] was my biggest inspiration as far as basketball, but I never got an opportunity to hang with him or talk to him or whatever,” James continued. “But Jay is like my big brother. He’s the one who’s given me so much game and has taught me so much. I’m always thinking about him any time I’m doing something business-wise or making a decision or whatever, thinking like, is this going to make him proud? Because he gave me so much game as a 16-year-old kid.”