LeBron James will continue his NBA career into his 24th season, but will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday night that James told the Lakers the team can “move on without him because he’ll be playing somewhere else,” his agent, Rich Paul, said.
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The bombshell announcement sent the basketball world into a frenzy, with speculation ramping up over which team the 41-year-old would join.
James spent eight years with the Lakers and won his fourth NBA championship and first with Los Angeles in 2020. He also broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring record in 2023 while wearing the yellow and purple uniform.
Indeed, in the twilight of his career, James heads into free agency in search of a new team.
The 22-time All-Star reportedly informed Lakers president Rob Pelinka of his intention to leave the team prior to the start of free agency to allow Los Angeles to handle its offseason business.
The Lakers reportedly wanted to keep James, but he decided to go elsewhere.
Rumors are growing that James will remain in California to join the Golden State Warriors in a veteran superteam alongside Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
NBA insider Jake Fisher said the Warriors would “definitely ask LeBron James to join Curry” in San Francisco.
Green declined a $27.7 million player offer for next season, giving the Warriors more flexibility to negotiate a team-friendly deal and attract star recruits for next season.
If he joins Golden State, it will be the fourth NBA team James has played for after two stints in Cleveland, four years in Miami and eight seasons in Los Angeles.
ESPN reported that a source close to James said “it’s time to move on.”
He waited until his son Bronny James’ $2.3 million contract was fully guaranteed before telling the Lakers he was leaving.
James’ departure leaves a gaping hole on the Lakers’ roster, with guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves now the team’s two mainstays.
Earlier this week, Reeves agreed to a monster four-year deal worth $185 million ($A267 million).
Australian big man received $20 million salary
In other NBA trade news, Australian Jock Landale has signed a one-year deal and will return to the Atlanta Hawks for one more season, ESPN reports.
Landale will sign a one-year deal worth $14 million ($A20.2 million) and has impressed since being traded to Atlanta mid-season, averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds.