LeBron James will return to the NBA for an unprecedented 24th season, but it won’t be with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has told the Lakers that the franchise can move forward without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.
| Classify | ||
|---|---|---|
| Glasses | 12 402 | 10th place |
| helps | 3808 | 5th place |
| FG | 4681 | 10th place |
| 3-point FG | 1020 | 2nd |
| — ESPN Research | ||
Sources told Charania on Monday that the Golden State Warriors plan to pursue James once the free agency negotiation window opens on Tuesday at 6:00 pm ET.
Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option on Monday, leaving the Warriors free to pursue James and a possible deal with the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis that would reunite former Lakers teammates with Golden State.
James, 41, could return for a ninth season with the Lakers or retire as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Instead, he will choose a new team – likely the last of his storied career.
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James, who turns 42 in December, had his record 21-year NBA streak snapped last season, playing in just 60 games after missing the first month with sciatica affecting his lower back and right leg.
The four-time champion and four-time MVP will enter what many consider the final chapter of his first-ballot Hall of Fame career while maintaining a level of play unheard of for any other aging player.
James was an All-Star last season, averaging 20.9 points per game on 51.5 percent shooting, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He was just as effective in the postseason, increasing his playing time from 33.2 to 38.4 minutes per game and averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds. He led Los Angeles to a first-round series win over the Houston Rockets while Luka Doncic was sidelined with a hamstring strain.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.