LeBron James to leave Lakers, play elsewhere in 24th NBA season, his agent confirms
LeBron James, widely considered to be one of the greatest players in NBA history, will leave the Los Angeles Lakers and play elsewhere during the 2026-2027 season, his agent confirmed to CBS LA.
The 41-year-old free agent spent eight seasons on the team and led the franchise to its 17th NBA championship during the pandemic-altered 2019-2020 season. In a statement, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss thanked James for his tenure.
"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," Buss said. "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."
Responding to the Lakers' post to X, James in turn thanked the franchise.
"No, THANK YOU," James said. "Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to [continue] the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint."
Speaking to CBS LA's Jim Hill, James' longtime agent Rich Paul said Tuesday was a tough day.
"Anytime you win with a group and organization, and you spend eight years there, there's going to be some ebbs and flows, but ultimately it was great," Paul said. "There are some brighter days ahead for everyone."
It's not yet clear where James intends to play next season. The NBA's free agency negotiation window opens at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
James became the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played and seasons played while wearing the purple and gold. He's been selected as an NBA All-Star a record 22 times.
He is also part of the first father-son duo in NBA history. On opening night of the 2024-2025 season, James and his son, Bronny, took the court together, marking the historic achievement. Bronny, drafted by the Lakers in 2024, has since become a part of LA's rotation of players.
After earning himself a Sports Illustrated cover, dubbing him "The Chosen One" as a high school basketball player in Akron, Ohio, James was drafted first overall by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. His first stint with the Cavs included a trip to the 2007 NBA Finals, but frustrations over a lack of team success led him to join the Miami Heat in 2011.
Alongside fellow superstar teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the trio, nicknamed "The Heatles," won two titles in four years. Those Heat teams are considered to be one of the first "super teams" constructed through free agency in NBA history.
James returned to Cleveland for the 2014-2015 season to play alongside Kyrie Irving. In four seasons, James and Irving led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals each year, where they played the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry each time.
The Cavaliers won the 2015-2016 championship in a remarkable series in which Cleveland stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to win in seven games, a first in finals history.
James then joined the Lakers as a free agent ahead of the 2018-2019 season.
As for the Lakers, the next steps will revolve around Luka Doncic, who the team acquired in a stunning trade last year from the Dallas Mavericks. The new face of the franchise signed a three-year contract extension in 2025.
Doncic took to his Instagram story to pay tribute to his teammate for part of two seasons.
"An honor to play with and learn from you," Doncic said.