LeBron James to Leave Lakers, Plans to Continue NBA Career Elsewhere

Los Angeles: LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season, but the NBA's all-time leading scorer is not retiring, multiple reports confirmed. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the 41-year-old told the Lakers he intends to sign with another team when free agency opens, ending an eight-year run in Los Angeles that included the 2020 championship.

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss confirmed the split in a statement, thanking James for "the countless records he broke in purple and gold" and calling him "one of the greatest athletes in history." James replied publicly, thanking the organization.

The Golden State Warriors are reported to be the frontrunners, with Draymond Green's decision to decline his player option freeing up cap space to offer James a position in their roster, potentially pairing him with Stephen Curry. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, both former James teams, are also considered serious suitors, with the Minnesota Timberwolves floated as a dark horse.

James is coming off a season averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games, numbers that helped the Lakers secure the No. 4 seed in a stacked Western Conference before Luka Doncic's absence contributed to their playoff exit.