LeBron James' Lakers journey ends as NBA's all-time scoring king moves on
The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed that LeBron James will leave the franchise after eight seasons, with the NBA's all-time leading scorer set to enter.
NBA Superstar Lebron James. (Photo: X/ Los Angeles Lakers)
National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season, bringing an end to his eight-year spell with the franchise as he prepares to continue his career elsewhere.
The Lakers confirmed James' departure in a post on X on Tuesday, accompanied by a statement from team governor Jeanie Buss, who thanked the four-time NBA champion for his contributions and wished him well.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers, including the title he led us to in 2020 and the countless records he broke in purple and gold,” she said.
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“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.”
According to ESPN, James informed the Lakers of his decision through Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who said the 41-year-old had told the franchise it could move forward without him as he intends to play for another team during the 2026-27 season.
The decision makes James a free agent ahead of his 24th NBA season, extending one of the most decorated careers in basketball history. Although he has not announced his next destination, several teams are expected to pursue his signature.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and spent eight seasons with the franchise, highlighted by the 2020 NBA championship won during the pandemic. Despite being in his 23rd NBA season, he continued to perform at an elite level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds.
Over his career, James has won four NBA championships, four MVP awards, earned 22 All-Star selections and become the league's all-time leading scorer. Before joining the Lakers, he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, both of which are expected to be among the teams closely monitoring his next move.