LeBron James Makes Historic Move Away from the Lakers

LeBron James continues to set records in his NBA career, but his next chapter won’t be with the Lakers. The 41-year-old superstar has decided to leave the Lakers as an unrestricted free agent, confirmed by The Times on Tuesday.

After spending eight seasons with the Lakers, James felt it was time to move on, according to sources familiar with the situation. His time with the Lakers marked the longest continuous period with any team in his remarkable career.

During his tenure, James led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship in 2020. He also broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record in the iconic purple and gold. James set a league record for seasons played, reaching an unprecedented 23 years. His 24th season will be with a new team.

The Golden State Warriors have emerged as a potential destination. This possibility surfaced after Draymond Green opted out of his contract, potentially freeing up cap space for James. James earned $52.6 million last season, but he might take a pay cut to play alongside superstar Stephen Curry.

LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history, said Lakers governor Jeanie Buss in a social media statement. 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 averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game last season. He continued to claim NBA records for games played, all-time wins, and field goals made. Despite his age, James remains a top free agent in a relatively thin class.

Last season, he secured his record 22nd All-Star appearance, maintaining his streak of averaging over 20 points per game every season. He played a crucial role in advancing the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first playoff round.

However, age has taken its toll. James missed the first 14 games of the season due to a right sciatic nerve issue, a first in his career. This season saw his lowest number of field goal attempts per game at 15.3. Missing 22 regular-season games rendered him ineligible for end-of-season awards, ending his 21-year streak of All-NBA honors.

The Lakers relied heavily on James to reach the Western Conference playoffs’ second round last season, particularly when star Luka Doncic missed the entire postseason. Despite his history as the NBA’s top scorer, James was poised to take a secondary role in the franchise.

Doncic remains a central focus for the Lakers. He recently signed a three-year, $165-million contract extension. Austin Reaves also secured a four-year, $185-million max deal with the team. Eight players from last year’s roster are entering unrestricted free agency or hold player options, offering the Lakers the chance to rebuild their team around Doncic’s skills.

The Lakers acquired Doncic from a memorable trade with the Dallas Mavericks involving Anthony Davis. President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka confirmed the roster will be restructured around Doncic. The team’s strategy includes targeting athletic wings, skilled shooters, and effective centers.