LeBron James announces Lakers exit after eight seasons in Los Angeles

LeBron James confirmed on July 1, 2026, he will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season, marking the end of his eight-year tenure with the franchise. His decision has sparked discussions regarding the overall success of his time with the Lakers. While James secured one championship in 2020 and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023, the team also experienced significant playoff struggles, missing the postseason in 2019 and 2022, along with early exits in 2024 and 2025. Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho criticized James' Lakers career, arguing it did not meet the expectations based on his previous success with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. As the Lakers begin their search for a successor, James concluded his Lakers career averaging 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists over 479 games.

• 5:35 AMYahoo Sports — ’Not a Massive Success’ — Ex-NFL Player Bluntly Assesses LeBron James’ 8-Year Lakers Tenure