The NBA’s all-time leading scorer isn’t retiring; he’s looking for a new home. Several reports published Monday indicated that LeBron James planned to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and become a free agent.
James, 41, spent the last eight seasons in Los Angeles, delivering a title during the 2020 campaign. The four-time MVP and four-time champion will be eligible to begin negotiations with other teams on Tuesday night. He could sign a new deal as early as Monday.
ESPN reported that the Lakers were interested in retaining James, but the 22-time All-Star opted to seek new opportunities.
The Golden State Warriors have appeared as a common landing spot for James in the rumor mill. Several ESPN analysts indicated that James would be interested in joining fellow former MVP Stephen Curry with the Warriors if the franchise could also add Wizards forward Anthony Davis through a trade.
Davis, who the Wizards acquired through a trade with the Dallas Mavericks last season, was James’ teammate during the Lakers’ title run in 2020.
James’ eight seasons with the Lakers marked his longest consecutive run with one franchise. He started his illustrious career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but joined the Miami Heat after failing to secure a championship in Cleveland.
James — alongside fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — won a pair of titles in Miami before returning to Cleveland in 2014. He carried the Cavaliers to four consecutive Finals appearances, winning the franchise’s only championship in 2016.
The Ohio native has slowed down in recent years, but was still an impact player for the Lakers after turning 41 last season. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game during 60 appearances in his final campaign with Los Angeles.
But James missed the All-NBA team for the first time since his rookie year while the Lakers were swept by the defending champion Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
James’ impending departure also presents question marks for his son, Bronny. The Lakers drafted the younger James with a second-round pick in 2024, after analysts widely described him as a borderline NBA prospect. The USC product played alongside his father for two seasons, averaging 2.7 points per game.
Bronny James is under contract for two more seasons, with a team option ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.
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