Everything we know about his upcoming decision and future championship goals
Tim Reynolds
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, which means another decision is awaited.
Just 16 years after his first famous “decision” to leave Cleveland for Miami, James is set to switch jerseys again. He told the Lakers that his eight-year career with them was over and that he would play his record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere.
James has made it clear that his motivation is more championships; That means he’ll pick a team he believes can compete for the NBA title in 2027.
The Golden State Warriors are also believed to be on this list, but there are also those wondering if a reunion with Cleveland and Miami is possible. Or maybe he’s just waiting for a landing spot in San Antonio where he can partner with 7-foot-9 global megastar Victor Wembanyama.
“I’ve done it all. I’ve seen it all,” James said when the Lakers’ season ended in May — after the final game of the series. “Just being able to compete and try to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”
The first half of his decision is complete: He’s back for at least another year, which means his family has agreed to this part of the plan. James said his wife, Savannah, and 12-year-old daughter, Zhuri, will have a big say in whether he continues playing.
His next decision, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from Milwaukee to Miami, will be among the biggest dominoes to fall during the NBA’s offseason player movement period.
The Lakers released a statement on Wednesday (Australian time) thanking James for his eight seasons.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” said Jeanie Buss, part of the Lakers’ ownership group.
“We will always be grateful for his eight years with the Lakers, including the championship he brought us under the most challenging circumstances imaginable in 2020 and the countless records he set in the purple and gold. We wish him the best in the future, both on and off the court. He will always be a valued part of the Lakers family.”
What happens now?
James was allowed to start talking to clubs at 8am on Wednesday (AEDT), when the league’s free agency period officially begins. He won’t be able to sign a contract with a team until the offseason moratorium is lifted on July 6.
Momentum toward Golden State appeared to pick up after longtime Warriors forward Draymond Green opted out of his $27.6 million option for next season earlier this week, largely giving his team the flexibility to make other roster moves. That doesn’t mean Green won’t return to Golden State — all indications are that he will — but it does give the team options.
“Especially at this point in my career, I’m always willing to work with the team on what’s best,” Green said in the latest episode of his podcast released Tuesday.
“So my decision to leave was for a number of reasons. As you all know, I’ve always taken the approach of working with the organization. I’ve been living in one place for 14 years. This place is more like a family to me.”
Golden State is a team that James has faced Cleveland in the NBA Finals four times. He also has close relationships with Green, Stephen Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr; Curry was his teammate and Kerr was his coach as the U.S. won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
James led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship. He became the NBA’s all-time points leader (43,440) while playing for the Lakers and surpassed numerous other records while in the purple and gold.
He spent the first seven years of his career in Cleveland, then went to Miami for four years, where he won the first two of his four championships. Another four-year stint with the Cavaliers followed (11 years there in total) and he joined the Lakers in 2018.
A career like no other
James is the NBA’s oldest active player; He will turn 42 in December. He became the first player in league history to record 23 seasons. He also became the first player in the league to have a son as a teammate when Bronny James played alongside him on the Lakers. Bronny’s contract with the Lakers continues.
Among his accolades, James has been a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star Game MVP, and was a part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
He is coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists in more than 1,600 games throughout his career.
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