LeBron James Tells Los Angeles Lakers He Will Play for Another Team in 2026-27

LeBron James informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will play for a different team in the 2026-27 season, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania, ending eight seasons in Los Angeles.

“NBA superstar LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to continue his career with another team”

BBC

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement, “LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” adding that the team “will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers.”

BBC

The NBA’s free agency negotiation window opens at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and James will be an unrestricted free agent for the fourth time in his career.

NBC News reported James played in 60 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and that he will turn 42 in December.

The reporting also tied the decision to the Lakers’ offseason timing, with the NBA’s offseason moratorium set to lift on July 6, after which James can sign with a new team.

Multiple reports framed the next destination as the Golden State Warriors, with The Guardian saying the Warriors are looking to sign James and setting up a union with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

The Guardian also reported that Draymond Green “has not exercised his $27.6m option for this coming season” to allow flexibility, while Green said on Tuesday, “Personally, I’m always willing to work with the team on whatever is best, especially at this point in my career.”

CBS News

Fox News reported James thanked the Lakers ahead of his free agency departure, reposting Jeanie Buss’s statement and writing, “Hope I made a few proud during my stint.”

The Los Angeles Times said the Warriors were a reported potential option after Draymond Green opted out of his contract Monday, potentially freeing enough cap space to add James.

NBC News added that teams James may be interested in include the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and the Cavaliers, according to multiple reports.

With James leaving, the Lakers’ offseason plans shift toward building around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and The Times confirmed James informed the Lakers he intends to sign with a different team as an unrestricted free agent.

The Los Angeles Times reported James led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship in 2020, broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record while wearing the purple and gold, and set the league record for seasons played, reaching 23 years.

Sports Illustrated said the Lakers can now focus on the “Doncic era in Los Angeles,” while also laying out a sign-and-trade scenario if James wants to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint.

Silver Screen and Roll said James’ departure would wipe his $57.75 million cap hold off the Lakers’ books, freeing the Lakers up to open as much as $52 million in cap space, though it said that would require renouncing rights to Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and the rest of their free agents.

NBC News reported James made $52.6 million last season as part of a two-year contract signed with Los Angeles in 2024, and that he led the Lakers to a first-round upset of the Houston Rockets before bowing out to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.