LeBron James to leave Lakers for 24th NBA season

sportsJun 30, 202627525

LeBron James, 41, will leave the Los Angeles Lakers and play elsewhere in his record-extending 24th NBA season, multiple outlets and the team confirm. James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, joined Los Angeles in 2018 on a four-year, $153.3 million contract, and led the franchise to its 17th NBA championship in the 2019-20 season. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer announced he will return for the 2026-27 season but has not revealed his next team. Reports note his departure came one day after his son Bronny’s contract became fully guaranteed, according to Variety. With James available for 2026-27 free agency, teams will have the opportunity to sign a veteran who is extending the NBA’s career-games and seasons records; no destination has been confirmed yet.

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, will play in his 24th NBA season, but for a team other than the Los Angeles Lakers, The Athletic confirms. James has not announced where he will play next, but felt it was time to move on.

15345d ago

The Athletic25

“LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships,” Rich Paul told The Athletic before James entered the final season of his contract. More from @danwoikesports.bsky.social. nyti.ms/4uYE35P

Soviet Space Cat3

He wants to coast to another easy ring. So maybe they try the Golden State super team, or he just ends up in San Antonio.

X? What the hell is X?2

Good day to be a Lakers fan.

Daniel2

Hope he takes his son with him 2

Lynda Pete2

About the same time that Dan Gilbert announces he is selling part of the team … my bet is CLE with ownership post retirement…

Russell Nish2

Welcome to the Bay! Steph or Coach Kerr will pick you up at the airport.

Quoting this

Todd in the Shadows163

Congratulations to the Guangdong Tigers!

Sara Montour Lewis10

We do need a 4.

Very Dumb Idiot9

ok it is pretty funny that three of the four western conference semi-finalists are in the market for a new power forward

Danny8

there’s only one team that has a history

RM Cooper7

washington wizards legend lebron james

Steve McPherson6

This fuckery can’t go on for much longer.

Gosh2

So NOBODY'S retiring from the court today?!

Forrest2

Vet minimum in Houston, obviously

Michael Preston2

That's right: it's the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

BREAKING: LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers and plans to play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere, an AP source says.

4745d ago

Fear None1

While I agree with this move, LeBron should not be trying recruit Anthony Davis to team up with again. Anthony Davis is the softest big man to ever play the game. Warriors is a great destination as Kerr is a players coach. I don't think Donovan Mitchell will want to share the spotlight in Cleveland.

Alan Smithee1

as a life-long Lakers fan since the day Magic Johnson arrived... LFG!!! time to move forward again towards #18!!!

Quoting this

Bruno Dias2

it really is the decade of first as tragedy then as farce

Ben McCormick2

But there is NO tampering! He has ZERO idea where will offer him a contract. Just that not all who wander are lost. He wants to be wild and free. Live laugh love.

Brian M

@legendofnerd.bsky.social

BREAKING: LeBron is leaving the Lakers to become the owner and CEO of the XBOX brand, best of luck King I know you can do it

5145d ago

Forbes

@forbes.com

James joined the Lakers in 2018 on a four-year, $153.3 million contract.

2945d ago

Steve1

Thank God they are can move on from his bs and that ridiculous contract.

Steph Noh

@stephnoh.bsky.social

Free agency isn't even starting for another hour. We've already gotten -Kawhi trade -LeBron leaving Lakers -Ja trade -Warriors "big four" plan -LaMelo trade -Julius Randle trade -Giannis trade

3345d ago

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

From @theathletic.com: LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is returning for a record 24th NBA season. But it won’t be with the Los Angeles Lakers. nyti.ms/3RfiGzr

2245d ago

Tom Leykis

@tomleykis.bsky.social

THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT LEBRON JAMES IS: we'll never love him the way we loved Kobe Bryant.

2545d ago

Ken Spaulding @ Philly1

I can’t think of anybody who wanted to be taken out LeBron style

Victor Thunderbass Armenta1

Or Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Shaq, and D Fish. Even Riley and Phil Jackson. He is good for the league.

looism.bsky.social1

I hope he takes his son with him.

Chris Glass1

My biggest problem with sports is the lack of team loyalty by the players. But also I get giving them the freedom to leave.

Jemele Hill

@jemelehill.bsky.social

SPOLITICS QUICKIE: Why it was time for LeBron to leave the Lakers youtu.be/BI6lIfBe0z4?...

2145d ago

Quoting this

@ApplePasta2

It was mutual. The Lakers wanted LeBron to leave; they just wanted it to look like it was LeBron's call

Dart Adams

@dartadams.bsky.social

I had to get off of Instagram because those Lakers fans are something else, man… You mortgaged your future to go all in with LeBron James, traded for a superstar who puts asses in the seats & can’t play any semblance of defense then backed up the Brinks truck for… *checks notes* AUSTIN REAVES?

2145d ago

Law Murray 📘

@lawmurraythenu.bsky.social

As expected, the LA Clippers will be guaranteeing Kris Dunn’s contract for the 2026-27 NBA season

1645d ago

Quoting this

dolemite ptolemy3

good. every team needs a kris dunn

Cindy aka Mrs. Celtics ☘️

@mrsceltics.bsky.social

LeBron has been with the Lakers for eight seasons?! It's truly terrifying how quickly time flies by...

1845d ago

Benti2

It is the longest he has played consecutively for a single franchise and only 3 less than he played through two stints in Cleveland.

Wirin1

So many people sharing the same thought 😅 we're getting old

Quoting this

Chad Finn35

Realized today that Pedro Martinez has been retired for 17 years. Nearly turned to dust upon finding out.

Dart Adams8

That’s a lot of time for someone to cosplay as a Lakers fan…

J.E. Skeets

@jeskeets.bsky.social

Kawhi to the Raptors LeBron leaving the Lakers Everything is happening 2026 NBA Free Agency Special ➡️ bit.ly/4wapAVA

1345d ago

Surf

@surf.social

#LeBronJames is coming back to the #NBA next season, but not to the #Lakers. Find news, reactions and more in @yorush.bsky.social's All Net Surf feed. surf.social/feed/surf%2F...

645d ago

Patrick Stephenson

@patiomensch.bsky.social

The Lakers started as a Minnesota team, so LeBron is just coming home.

844d ago

Yonette Joseph

@sugarcane99.bsky.social

LeBron James is said to be leaving the Lakers www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

545d ago

3 sources

usatoday.comLeBron James returns for record 24th NBA season but ditches Lakers: Live updates nytimes.comLeBron James to play record 24th NBA season, but not with Lakers: Source forbes.comLeBron James Leaving Lakers Ahead Of His 24th NBA Season, Report Says

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LeBron James to leave Lakers for 24th NBA season

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