Lakers' LeBron James: Luka Doncic Trade Gave Me 'Energy' in Home Stretch of NBA Career

LeBron James said Sunday that the Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Luka Dončić has "given me energy," according to longtime NBA reporter Rachel Nichols.

The 40-year-old added, "we'll see what happens" regarding the possibility of extending his playing career alongside the 25-year-old, Nichols reported.

James, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Dec. 30, recently shed light on the factors that will eventually contribute to his retirement decision.

"It won't be because I can't play this game at a high level," James said, per USA Today's Mark Gianotto. "It won't be because of that because, to be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for about another – it's weird I might say this – but I've got another five to seven years if I wanted to. But I'm not going to do that."

After James achieved his goal of playing alongside his oldest son, Bronny James, who was drafted in the second round by the Lakers, fans are now wondering what James will be playing for next.

However, with the trade for Dončić, it seems like his window to try and win a fifth championship is propped open.

"Just the excitement to be able to add a caliber of player like that," James told reporters. "It's given me energy. Just excited to see what we can do...I think we can be really good going down the stretch."

In the midst of his seventh season in Los Angeles, James expressed that he would "love" for his retirement to come with the Lakers, a sentiment he shared before the addition of Dončić.

"I think that's the plan. I would love for it to end here," James told reporters. "I came here to play my last stage of my career and finish it off here, but I'm also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, to know the business of basketball. But my relationship with this organization speaks for itself and hopefully I don't have to go nowhere before my career is over."

For Lakers fans, the addition of Dončić may have been the best-case scenario when it comes to extending James' stay in Los Angeles.