LeBron James thanks LA Lakers ahead of free agency exit
LeBron James has expressed gratitude to the Los Angeles Lakers as he prepares for free agency, which opens later on Tuesday. The move signals a potential departure from the team he joined in 2018, having spent the last eight seasons with them. The Lakers, in turn, wished James well, acknowledging his contributions to the franchise.
In a social media post, James responded to the Lakers’ farewell message, stating, “No, THANK YOU! Truly an honor to wear the [Lakers colours] while trying to continue the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint.” This exchange follows reports that James has informed the team of his intention to continue his NBA career elsewhere.
Jeanie Buss, part of the Lakers’ ownership group, praised James as “one of the greatest athletes in history.” She highlighted his eight years with the team, including the 2020 NBA title he led them to “under the toughest imaginable circumstances,” and the numerous records he broke. Buss added that James “will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
A distinguished career with the Lakers
During his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James secured an NBA championship in 2020. This achievement marked a significant moment for the team, especially given the challenging conditions of that season. James’s time with the Lakers followed two separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four years with the Miami Heat, where he also achieved considerable success.
James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, continued to perform at an elite level throughout his time with the Lakers. His longevity in the sport is notable, as evidenced by his league-record 22nd consecutive All-Star selection last February. In March, he surpassed Robert Parish‘s record for most career regular-season games played, further cementing his place in NBA history.
A testament to his enduring presence in the league, James and his son, Bronny, made history in October 2024 by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in a regular-season NBA game. This fulfilled a long-held personal goal for James, who has been a 22-time All-Star, claiming the honour every year from 2005 to 2026.
His career accolades also include being named league MVP four times, a total surpassed only by Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James’s remarkable career has seen him accumulate numerous NBA records, including most minutes played, most points scored, and most All-Star appearances.
Future prospects and team considerations
As LeBron James enters free agency, speculation surrounds his next destination. Reports on Monday indicated that the Golden State Warriors are considering signing James, which could lead to a union with his former rivals Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. James had previously battled these players in the NBA finals for four consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2018 while with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors are also reportedly looking into signing Anthony Davis. Draymond Green has not exercised his option for the upcoming season, a decision that is largely understood to provide his team with flexibility for roster adjustments. Green commented on his decision, stating, “Personally, I’m always willing to work with the team on whatever is best, especially at this point in my career.” He added that his decision to opt out was for several reasons and that he has always taken an approach of working with the organisation, which he views as family after 14 years.
Sources suggest that the Lakers’ approach to team-building conversations with outside parties did not frequently include James’s name. For the Lakers, James’s departure represents a significant cap number coming off their books, which could provide a pathway for them to reconstruct their roster around players like Dončić and Reaves. The free agency negotiation window is set to open at 6pm ET on Tuesday, though players cannot officially sign with a new team until the league’s offseason moratorium is lifted on 6 July.
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Source: aljazeera.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
