LeBron James, a basketball legend, will part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2026-2027 season. The Lakers confirmed his departure. Over his eight seasons with the team, James led them to their 17th NBA championship during the 2019-2020 season affected by the pandemic.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss expressed gratitude for James’ contributions. Buss stated, “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 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.”
As an NBA free agent, James’ next destination remains uncertain, with free agency negotiations beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. During his time with the Lakers, James became the NBA’s all-time leader in points, games played, and seasons played, while being named an NBA All-Star a record 22 times. He has not made a public statement about his future plans.
James first gained national attention in high school in Akron, Ohio, appearing on a Sports Illustrated cover as “The Chosen One.” The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him first overall in 2003. His initial tenure with the Cavaliers saw a 2007 NBA Finals appearance, but frustrations led him to join the Miami Heat in 2011. Alongside fellow stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, nicknamed “The Heatles,” James won two championships in four years, forming one of the NBA’s first super teams through free agency.
In 2014, James returned to the Cavaliers to play with Kyrie Irving, reaching the NBA Finals four consecutive times against the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. The Cavaliers clinched the 2015-2016 championship, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win in a seven-game series, a first in NBA finals history.
James joined the Lakers as a free agent before the 2018-2019 season. With James leaving, the Lakers will focus on Luka Dončić, acquired in a significant trade from the Dallas Mavericks last year. Dončić, now the face of the franchise, signed a three-year contract extension in 2025.
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