LeBron James will not continue with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old NBA icon plans to sign with another team as an unrestricted free agent, confirmed sources on Tuesday. James concluded that ending his eight-season stint with the Lakers was the right decision, according to those close to the matter, who are not authorized to speak publicly.
James’ time with the Lakers marks the longest continuous period he has spent with a single team. During his tenure, he guided the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship in 2020 and broke the league’s all-time scoring record while donning the team’s colors. He achieved a record 23 seasons in the league, and his 24th will be played elsewhere. The Golden State Warriors are considered a possible destination for James, especially after Draymond Green’s contract opt-out, which might clear enough cap space. Although James earned $52.6 million last season, he may accept a pay cut to join forces with Stephen Curry.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” said Lakers governor Jeanie Buss on social media. “We will always be grateful for his contributions, including the championship win in 2020 during challenging times and the numerous records broken in Lakers colors. We wish him the best moving forward and will always consider him part of the Lakers family.”
Last season, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. He also claimed multiple NBA records, such as total games played, all-time wins, and field goals made. At his age, James remains one of the top free agents despite a modest free agency market. He secured his 22nd All-Star appearance and kept his streak of averaging over 20 points each season.
However, age impacted James’ season. He missed the opening 14 games due to a right sciatic nerve problem, marking a career first. His field goal attempts dropped to a career low of 15.3 per game, and his absence in 22 regular-season games made him ineligible for end-of-season awards, ending a 21-year All-NBA streak.
The Lakers relied on James during the playoffs, especially with star player Luka Doncic absent. Doncic, 27, is now a priority for the team, having agreed to a three-year, $165-million extension. The Lakers also secured Austin Reaves with a four-year, $185-million max contract. Both players are pivotal as the Lakers, potentially facing a roster overhaul, focus on building around Doncic. Under the guidance of President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, the team plans to prioritize athletic, defensive players, shooters, and a rim-running center.