LeBron James has confirmed he will play a 24th NBA season, but not with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old has told the Lakers he will compete elsewhere and that the franchise can "move on without him," according to ESPN.
A bidding war is expected for James's services in what could be his last season, the 2026-27 campaign. His exit raises questions not just about his own future but also that of his son and Lakers teammate Bronny James.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss confirmed the move on social media. "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," she wrote.
Hours later, James responded on social media. "No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continuing [sic] the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint," he wrote.
James is set to leave the Lakers and play his 24th NBA season.
His departure puts the Lakers' immediate future up for debate as he leaves a vacuum on the roster.
Where LeBron could land next
Speculation has linked James to a return to either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Miami Heat. There is also the possibility he joins USA Olympic teammate Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State links have gained steam after rumors suggested the team may be looking to bring in both James and Anthony Davis for a final push at a title. Given his age, James's contract value is hard to project, but his status as the most popular player in the game means any team would consider offering him a deal.
On the court, James has not shown massive regression. At age 41 this past season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists across 60 games.
His final months with the Lakers were defined by tension over his will-he, won't-he status for the upcoming season, as well as rumors he was unhappy with how the organization treated him.
The Bronny James complication
James's departure also leaves his son Bronny, currently a Lakers teammate, on his own in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, Bronny remained on the Lakers' roster, confirming and guaranteeing the third season of his four-year rookie contract.
But a source told the Daily Mail that decision was a key point of contention between James and the Lakers.
"All the Golden State talk is legit, and LeBron is very interested in going there, but by leaving, he is going to leave his son high and dry and he won't be there to protect his career that most believe only exists because of him in the first place," the source said.
"If LeBron ends up signing with the Lakers, he is expecting Bronny to be signed to a new contract himself. If the Lakers don't promise that, then he will head to Golden State immediately," the source added.
Even though Bronny now has a guaranteed contract, James is heading elsewhere, leaving a leadership and talent vacuum the Lakers will scramble to fill in free agency.
Lakers' roster rebuild
Within the past week, the Lakers signed guard Austin Reaves to a four-year, $185 million deal to keep him alongside superstar Luka Doncic. Beyond Reaves and Doncic, the Lakers' roster needs significant improvement, with the three-through-five spots projected to be filled by Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton.
A complicated Lakers legacy
James leaves a complicated legacy in Los Angeles. He found success with the team but was one of the rare NBA legends to choose the Lakers without truly cementing himself as a franchise icon.
After arriving from Cleveland in 2018, James won his fourth NBA title with the Lakers in 2020, the peak of his time in Los Angeles.
In the years since, James and the Lakers reached the playoffs in five of six seasons but suffered first-round eliminations in three of them. They reached the 2023 Western Conference Finals before being swept by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets, and this past season were swept in the conference semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
During his time with the Lakers, James set NBA career records for most points scored, most games played, most minutes played, most field goals and field goal attempts, and most turnovers. He arrived in Los Angeles following his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he made four straight NBA Finals and won the 2016 championship. Before Cleveland, James won two NBA titles as part of the "Big Three" in Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
