LeBron James Begins 24th NBA Season, Leaving the Lakers

NBA star LeBron James is set to play his 24th season, but this time he won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers. This news shook the league as free agency opened on Tuesday.

"Truly an honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continue the greatness and legacies that came before me," said James, who is the league's all-time leading scorer. He shared this on X, responding to a farewell post from Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss.

"Hope I made a few proud during my stint," he added.

Buss's goodbye to James confirmed what many media outlets reported. The 41-year-old forward is leaving the Lakers after eight years.

"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history," Buss wrote on the Lakers' X account.

"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."

James joined the Lakers in 2018 and helped them win their 17th title in 2020 during a post-season played in the Covid “bubble.”

James's agent Rich Paul told ESPN that James informed the Lakers of his decision “as a courtesy.” This way, they would be ready for the start of free agency.

Teams and players could start discussions at 6 p.m. Eastern time (2200 GMT). Players cannot officially sign until July 6, but news of verbal agreements might come out before then.

After the Lakers' exit in the second round of the playoffs, James became a free agent. He had not yet confirmed that he would keep going in his extraordinary career, which includes four championships and many individual records.

With free agency around the corner, James is being linked to a possible return to Cleveland or Miami, the teams he led to titles. He could also join his 2024 USA Olympic teammate Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors.

James and Curry faced each other in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. Curry's Warriors won three of those finals, while James's Cavaliers took one.

According to ESPN, the Warriors want to build a team of veteran superstars. They are also looking to trade for James's former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards.

Last season, James's record 23rd NBA campaign started poorly as he missed the first month due to sciatica. Once he was healthy, he played well, shooting 51.5% from the field. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during the regular season.

In the playoffs, he averaged 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. He led the Lakers to a first-round win over the Houston Rockets, even without star teammate Luka Doncic, who was out with a hamstring strain.

James helped the Lakers reach the fourth seed in the Western Conference, despite injuries to Doncic and key player Austin Reaves late in the season.

Doncic, 27, is seen as the new key player for the Lakers since joining in February 2025. He shared his own farewell to James on Instagram, posting a photo with the caption, "An honor to play with and learn from you ‘King James.'"

James's time with the Lakers included the 2020 NBA title in a Covid “bubble” and a win in the first NBA in-season tournament. With the Lakers, he broke the all-time scoring record and achieved his dream of playing alongside his son, Bronny James, after the Lakers picked him in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.