LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, will return for a record 24th season, but it will not be with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss confirmed the departure in a statement, thanking James for his eight seasons with the franchise after multiple reports revealed that the 41-year-old had informed the team of his decision to move on.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” Buss said in a statement shared on the Lakers’ official X account.
“We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers, including the championship he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances, along with the countless records he set wearing purple and gold.”
James’ longtime agent and close friend Rich Paul told ESPN that the NBA legend informed the Lakers of his plans before free agency negotiations officially opened on Tuesday night.
After the Lakers’ second-round playoff exit, James became a free agent, although he had not publicly confirmed whether he would continue playing. The four-time NBA champion remains one of basketball’s most accomplished players, holding numerous league records alongside his championship success.
As free agency approached, speculation linked James with potential moves to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, franchises he previously guided to NBA titles. Reports also suggested he could reunite with close friend Stephen Curry at the Golden State Warriors.
James’ 23rd NBA season began on a difficult note after he missed the opening month due to sciatica. Once he returned, however, he once again delivered elite performances, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field during the regular season.
He elevated his game further in the playoffs, averaging 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists while leading the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the opening round despite the absence of star teammate Luka Dončić, who missed the series with a hamstring injury.
James also helped guide the Lakers to the fourth seed in the Western Conference despite late-season injuries to Dončić and key contributor Austin Reaves.
Following their first-round triumph, the Lakers were eliminated by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
Reflecting on the season after the playoff exit, James said he was proud of adapting to unfamiliar responsibilities late in his career.
“I was put into positions I had never played in throughout my career,” James said.
He explained that he initially adjusted to a reduced role alongside Dončić before stepping back into a leadership role following the Slovenian’s injury.
“To be able to thrive in that role for that period of time and then step back into the role I’ve been accustomed to throughout my career, while my teammates trusted me to lead them under extreme circumstances, was really special at this stage of my career,” James said.
James’ eight-year stint with the Lakers included the franchise’s 2020 NBA championship, won inside the COVID-19 bubble, as well as victory in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
He also etched his name further into basketball history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing scoring record of 38,387 career points on February 7, 2023.
Another memorable milestone came when James fulfilled his dream of sharing an NBA court with his son, Bronny James, after the Lakers selected him in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
“We wish him nothing but the very best, both on and off the court,” Buss said. “He will always remain a cherished member of the Lakers family.”
