LeBron James Is Leaving the Los Angeles Lakers After Eight Seasons
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit/Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The end of an era has arrived.
LeBron James is officially leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, according to his agent, Rich Paul. While the NBA legend isn’t retiring, he will suit up for a new team when the 2026-27 season begins, though his next destination has yet to be revealed.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 following previous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. During his time in Los Angeles, he helped lead the franchise to an NBA championship in 2020 while adding another remarkable chapter to one of basketball’s greatest careers.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, James is the league’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, 22-time All-Star, and three-time Olympic gold medalist.
Although retirement has been a topic of discussion in recent years, James has made it clear he still wants to compete for another championship before calling it a career. His decision to leave Los Angeles comes as NBA free agency gets underway, immediately sparking speculation about where the future Hall of Famer will play next.
For now, one thing is certain: after eight memorable seasons in purple and gold, LeBron James’ Lakers chapter has officially come to a close.