LeBron James begins his 21st NBA season — sixth as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers — on Tuesday in Denver.

LeBron is the oldest player in the league. He's one season behind Vince Carter for the most in history. At some point in 2023-24, he'll surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most total minutes played (including playoffs) in NBA history. He'll soon eclipse Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt to become the all-time leading scorer in world basketball.

And yet, here's LeBron, two months shy of his 39th birthday, armed with a deep and versatile roster, readying to lead the Lakers back to the NBA Finals.

Ahead of opening night, let's posit a few predictions about what might be in store for LeBron in Year 21.

LeBron will post the lowest usage rate of his career

I detailed this in my Lakers predictions column. In sum, LeBron should defer more than ever in 2023-24, lingering off-ball, letting Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, and others operate, then pounce in opportune moments. Of course, he'll conduct the symphony in crunchtime.

LeBron won't lead the Lakers in scoring

Along those lines, LeBron will, finally, cede the role of alpha to Anthony Davis. LeBron has gone out of his way to shower praise — and expectations — on Davis throughout camp, labeling him the face of the franchise.

The one season during LeBron's Los Angeles tenure in which he didn't lead the squad in scoring was 2019-20, when AD edged him by a tenth of a point. Incidentally, the Lakers won the title. That's the formula.

Darvin Ham is aware of this. The Lakers will deploy a 5-out system this year, aimed at opening up driving lanes for LeBron, AD, and others.

“We have a team full of guys that can all dribble, pass, and shoot who are all young, athletic, fast quick that can make plays off the dribble from a face-up position,” explained Ham. “It's a similar system that they ran when they won the championship in 2020.”

LeBron will hit 65 games

As part of the NBA's player participation policy, players have to appear in at least 65 games — barring a season-ending injury — to qualify for individual awards, including All-NBA teams.

LeBron has played more than 60 games once in Los Angeles, in 2019-20 (67). Last season, a torn tendon in his foot cost him 13 games, though he was able to miraculously return for the homestretch.

LeBron repaired the injury over the summer. His youthful burst in training camp was turning heads.

He'll suffer wear-and-tear ailments and miss a fair share of games (he's exempt from PPP rules). But, the Lakers' bolstered depth and plethora of playmakers — including multiple guys who can drop 20+ on a given night — should allow him to manage his load without costing the Lakers in the standings.

The King will quality for — and earn — a record 20th All-NBA selection.

This won't be his last dance

LeBron publicly floated retirement last June. He literally has the production team from “The Last Dance” shadowing him. A fifth ring — and gold medal? — would certainly provide the ultimate Hollywood ending to his epic journey in basketball.

Even if all that happens, I don't see LeBron hanging up the 21s, just yet. He has a $51 million player option for 2024-25. The Lakers should be primed to contend, once again. His latest Beats commercial implies he might try to team up with his now-16-year-old son, Bryce.

More than anything, LeBron seems like a guy who might want a farewell tour.

Of course, I'm just speculating and hoping. Only LeBron has an idea of how much professional basketball he has left in the tank — and even he isn't sure.

“I don't know. I don't know. I'm happy right now,” LeBron said at Media Day about the possibilty of 2023-24 being his final go-round. “I have no idea what the end of this road looks like. I have no idea.”

Savor every chalk toss, chasedown block, and tomahawk.