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LeBron James confirms departure from Lakers for 24th NBA season

Sky Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 5:28 PM

Last updated Jun 30, 2026

LeBron James confirms departure from Lakers for 24th NBA season

Summary

LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming NBA season, marking the end of his eight-year tenure with the team. The four-time champion confirmed his decision on social media, expressing gratitude for his time with the Lakers, where he led the franchise to an NBA championship in 2020. Following his announcement, James is expected to explore options with other teams, with the Golden State Warriors emerging as a potential destination. The NBA's free agency period opens soon, allowing James to begin discussions with franchises.

Source Links

Sky Sports

Status Watch

•LeBron James ends his eight-year stint with the Lakers.
•He will compete in a record-extending 24th NBA season.
•James led the Lakers to an NBA title in 2020.
•The Golden State Warriors are a potential option for him.
•Free agency discussions can begin as soon as July 6.

What they're saying

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LeBron James will play a record-extending 24th NBA season with a new team after it was confirmed he would not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Sky Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Los Angeles Lakers NBA Basketball