LeBron James will play a 24th NBA season — but it will not be with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has informed the franchise he intends to move on, his agent Rich Paul, ending an eight-year run that included the 2020 championship won under the uniquely challenging circumstances of the COVID bubble. He is 41 years old, and his next team will almost certainly be the last of one of the greatest careers in the history of professional sport.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss released a statement thanking James for his contribution and wishing him well. James posted his own farewell on social media, writing that it was “truly an honor” to wear the purple and gold and that he hoped he made “a few proud” during his time with the franchise. Luka Doncic, his former teammate, responded on Instagram: “An honor to play with and learn from you.”
James has not committed to a specific team and has instructed Paul to canvass the market — speaking to every interested franchise — and bring back the options before any decision is made. A source familiar with his thinking told that he wants to continue playing “meaningful, competitive basketball.” He has also not indicated whether the upcoming season will be his last.
Which Teams Are in the Running
The Golden State Warriors emerged immediately as a prominent suitor. Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option on Monday, creating the financial flexibility for Golden State to make a serious run at James. Warriors decision-makers have received no firm indication as of Tuesday that James has chosen them, and team sources told some level of active recruitment will be required. A potential trade for Anthony Davis — which would reunite Davis and James after their championship pairing in Los Angeles — has also been discussed in connection with the Warriors, though the Washington Wizards are reported to have no interest in moving Davis.
ALSO READ: 2026 NBA Draft Grades: AJ Dybantsa Goes No. 1 — Full First-Round Analysis and Report Card
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat — the two other franchises James has played for — are also expected to pursue him. A return to Cleveland, where he won the 2016 championship in the most dramatic comeback in Finals history, or a third stint in Miami, where he first won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, would carry obvious narrative weight.
What the Lakers Do Now — and What Happens to Bronny
James’ departure leaves Los Angeles with approximately $52 million in salary cap space to work with. The team’s most pressing needs are at wing — the position James occupied — and at centre. Restricted free agent Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons has a planned meeting with the Lakers, though acquiring him will be difficult: Detroit has reportedly offered Duren the maximum possible contract and stated it will match any offer sheet and is not interested in a sign-and-trade.
Unrestricted free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili — a 6-foot-9, 240-pound centre who averaged 11.2 points on 52.3% shooting in a career year with the Toronto Raptors — is another player of internal interest to the Lakers. At wing, Tobias Harris, Dean Wade, and Quentin Grimes have all been discussed internally as candidates to help fill the void.
Bronny James, LeBron’s son and second-year Lakers guard, will remain in Los Angeles. The franchise exercised the option to fully guarantee his $2.3 million deal ahead of Monday night’s deadline rather than waiving him — meaning father and son will not be teammates next season, at least for now.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds last season while missing the first month with sciatica affecting his lower back and right leg — the injury that snapped his record 21-year All-NBA streak. In the postseason, he was even better: 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game, leading the Lakers to a first-round series win over Houston while Doncic recovered from a hamstring strain. At nearly 42, the level of performance James maintains remains without precedent at his age.
Stay informed. Subscribe to the JournalTodays Newsletter for the latest LeBron James news, NBA free agency coverage, and basketball updates delivered straight to your inbox.
