NBA News: LeBron James 'Never Thought It Was Possible' That He'd Be Part Of Lakers

A storied career that is currently in its 18th season, LeBron James admitted that he wants to retire as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

James’ career started out with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers as they selected him as the No. 1 pick and later moved to Miami for a chance at the Larry O’Brien trophy with the Heat.

For the better part of 15 years, “The King” has been breaking the hearts of multiple Eastern Conference teams.

The Mike Budenholzer-coached Atlanta Hawks, Paul George’s Indiana Pacers, Kyle Lowry’s Toronto Raptors and Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls are but some of the teams that never got past LeBron’s Cavaliers and saw their championship windows close.

When LeBron went West to join the Lakers, the East became its own type of bloodbath that saw the Raptors finally get to the Finals and win its first NBA championship.

NBA media hyped up the idea of James winning a title in the West with the young Lakers as they believed that it would strengthen his claim for the "Greatest of All Time" conversation and his own legacy.

A groin strain kept James out for much of the 2018-19 season, only seeing him suit up for the Lakers--a then career-low 55 games.

James smashed all doubt of his capabilities to win the NBA title from the West after he and Anthony Davis led the Lakers to an NBA championship in the Orlando Bubble.

While on the SmartLess podcast, James was invited as a guest to talk about his new “Space Jam” movie and the talk inevitably drifted towards his time in Los Angeles.

“I truly hope that I can finish my career with the Lakers, however many years that is, if it’s four, five, six, or seven,” James revealed.

“I hope I can continue to play this game. I love being in L.A., my family loves being in L.A. Being with a historical franchise like the Lakers is something. It’s like me being in ‘Space Jam’–I never thought it would be possible.”

James has made it known in the past that he wants to play elite level basketball with his son, Bronny, and his two-year, $85 million extension places him in L.A. through 2022-23--exactly the same year as his eldest child’s high school graduation year.

The NBA is reportedly in negotiations with its union with regards to ending the one-and-done rule by the 2022 NBA draft, which will allow the father-son connection to happen the following year.

James is currently enjoying a much-needed extended break this offseason as the Lakers bowed out of the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Phoenix Suns.

With him and his family becoming more accustomed to life in the City of Angels, maybe James really intends to stay in L.A. until he retires.