LeBron James’ time with the Los Angeles Lakers has come to an end after eight seasons.
James, 41, and his agent, Rich Paul, have informed the franchise that they will be moving on, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Tuesday, June 30.
“Lakers president Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul spoke a short time ago about the four-time champion’s plans, sources said,” Charania, 32, wrote via X. “James chose to inform the Lakers well before [the] start of free agency tonight out of courtesy and appreciation for their run together, and to allow LA to conduct its offseason business.”
He continued, “The Lakers expressed to James that they wanted him back, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer decides to move on elsewhere.”
James, who is on the shortlist of the greatest basketball players ever, is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. The four-time Most Valuable Player helped lead the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship, becoming the first player in NBA history to win Finals MVP for three different teams.
NBA free agency begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, meaning James and the Lakers can now move forward with their 2026-27 plans.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” the Lakers wrote in a statement shared via social media. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers — including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
The Lakers went 53-29 last season, but were swept out of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals. After their season ended, James reflected on the loss and his future in the league.
“I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I’ve answered questions,” he told reporters. “I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming.’ With my future, I don’t know, honestly. … Obviously it’s still fresh from, obviously, losing [the series]. And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me.”
He added that he wanted to “recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them” before deciding whether to return for another season.
“I think for me it’s about the process,” he explained. “If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five-and-a-half hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play.”
While James’ destination for next season is still to be determined, the Golden State Warriors are expected to make a run for his services, Charania reported on Monday, June 29. Golden State may be hoping to make one last attempt at a deep playoff run with its aging core, which includes Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
LeBron’s oldest son, Bronny, is expected to stay with the Lakers despite his father moving on. Bronny’s $2.3 million contract with Los Angeles became fully guaranteed on Monday, June 29, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
