LeBron James has made a major decision about his future in the NBA. He has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will not return to the team in 2026-27.
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ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news on Tuesday afternoon. Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told the NBA insider that James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the league; it just will not be with the Southern California team.
The Lakers then confirmed the split with a statement posted across social media channels. James's time with the team will come to an end after eight years and one NBA title.
"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history," said Lakers governor Jeanie Buss in a statement on Tuesday.
"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."
James, 41, is expected to have multiple teams pursuing him during free agency. This includes the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, two teams with which he won NBA titles. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors will potentially be in the mix.
Reports have tied James to the Warriors for several months. If he joins the Northern California team, he will have an opportunity to pursue one more title while working alongside future Hall of Famer Steph Curry.
Draymond Green, a member of the Warriors, declined his $27.6 million player option on Monday. This seemingly provides more financial flexibility for the team to pursue James in free agency.
Regardless of where he plays next season, James is an incredibly accomplished player. He holds countless records in the NBA, and he has won four NBA titles and four MVP awards.
He is a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, and he is a 22-time All-Star. He has also won NBA Finals MVP four times.
