LeBron James looks set to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, concluding an eight-season tenure with the team. Reports indicate that the NBA superstar has informed the Lakers of his decision to continue his career elsewhere. During his time with the Lakers, James helped the franchise secure the 2020 NBA title.
James, who will be 42 during the 2026-27 season, has been a significant figure for the Lakers since joining. His representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, has confirmed that James is not retiring from professional basketball.
Lakers express gratitude for James’s contributions
The Lakers acknowledged James’s impact on the team. Jeanie Buss, part of the Lakers’ ownership group, stated that James is considered one of the greatest athletes in history. She expressed gratitude for his eight years with the team, highlighting the title he led them to under challenging circumstances and the numerous records he broke while playing in purple and gold.
The organisation extended best wishes to James for his future, both on and off the court, affirming that he will always be a cherished member of the Lakers family.
This past season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds with the Lakers. He is a 22-time All-Star and a four-time NBA champion. James holds the all-time records for most games played with 1,622 and most points scored with 43,440.
Potential move to Golden State Warriors
Media reports suggest that the Golden State Warriors are interested in signing James. This potential move could see him unite with former rivals Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. James previously battled Curry and Green in the NBA Finals for four consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2018 while he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The window for free agency negotiations is scheduled to open at 6pm ET on Tuesday. However, players are not permitted to sign with new teams until the league’s offseason moratorium is lifted on 6 July.
James has close relationships with Green, Curry, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, which could be a factor in his decision. Draymond Green has not exercised his option for the upcoming season, a move he indicated was partly to provide his team with flexibility for roster adjustments. Green stated that his decision to opt out was for several reasons, and he has always aimed to work with the organisation, considering his long tenure with the team.
Throughout his career, James has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. His longevity in the league allowed him to play alongside his eldest son, Bronny, at the Lakers last season. James was originally selected as the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent seven seasons before moving to the Miami Heat. He later returned to Cleveland, leading the team to an NBA championship in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against Golden State.
His 2020 NBA title with the Lakers came nine months after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, among others. James has been an All-Star every year from 2005 to 2026 and has been named league MVP four times, a feat surpassed only by Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
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Source: bbc.com
