Lakers prepare for life without LeBron James after free agency departure
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 5:38 PM
Last updated Jun 30, 2026
LeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will enter free agency, marking the end of his era with the franchise. Over the last eight years, James totaled more than 12,000 points and played in 478 games for Los Angeles. Going forward, the Lakers are projected to start Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and DeAndre Ayton. The new lineup aims to fill the void left by James as the team explores options for further roster improvements.
- •LeBron informed the Lakers of his free agency decision today.
- •James scored over 12,000 points for the Lakers in eight seasons.
- •Projected starting lineup includes Doncic and Reaves in the backcourt.
- •Ayton will take over as starting center for the Lakers.
- •Lakers may target star players to reinforce their roster.
- 5:47 PMYahoo Sports — LeBron James’ LA Era Is Over, Which Is Good for Lakers’ Future
- 5:38 PMYahoo Sports — Projecting the 2026 Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup without LeBron James
"The LeBron James era has come to an end for the Lakers. After eight seasons in Los Angeles, including a championship in 2020, James has informed the Lakers that he will play for another team for the 2026-27 NBA season. The Lakers had interest in retaining James, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer decided to […] The post LeBron James’ LA Era Is Over, Which Is Good for Lakers’ Future appeared first on The Lead.
"The LeBron James era is over in Los Angeles. On Tuesday morning the NBA’s all-time leading scorer told the team that he was leaving in free agency. Now the franchise can move on without him. Losing a 41-year-old to free…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 5:47 PMLeBron James’ LA Era Is Over, Which Is Good for Lakers’ Future
The LeBron James era has come to an end for the Lakers. After eight seasons in Los Angeles, including a championship in 2020, James has informed the Lakers that he will play for another team for the 2026-27 NBA season. The Lakers had interest in retaining James, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer decided to […] The post LeBron James’ LA Era Is Over, Which Is Good for Lakers’ Future appeared first on The Lead.
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 5:38 PMProjecting the 2026 Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup without LeBron James
The LeBron James era is over in Los Angeles. On Tuesday morning the NBA’s all-time leading scorer told the team that he was leaving in free agency. Now the franchise can move on without him. Losing a 41-year-old to free…
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