LeBron James leaving Los Angeles Lakers: NBA legend to continue career elsewhere as Warriors reportedly push to sign him
The move comes after LeBron James completed his record 23rd NBA season. Despite turning 41 during the year, he remained a productive force on the court.
LeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will play the 2026-27 season elsewhere, ending the superstar’s eight-year run with the franchise.
The 41-year-old icon helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title and broke the league’s all-time scoring record while wearing purple and gold. His departure marks a major shift for both James and the Lakers organization.
LeBron James delivers the news through his agent
Rich Paul told ESPN that LeBron James has decided to continue his NBA career with a different team. The four-time MVP and four-time champion spent the past eight seasons in Los Angeles after joining in 2018.
The move comes after James completed his record 23rd NBA season. Despite turning 41 during the year, he remained a productive force on the court.
Lakers post emotional tribute
The Lakers organization responded quickly on X with a simple yet powerful message: “Thank you, LeBron”
Golden State Warriors position themselves as serious contenders
Notably, the Golden State Warriors plan a determined push to add LeBron James. Draymond Green declined his player option, a move designed to create salary cap space and roster flexibility.
The Warriors’ interest has quickly become one of the biggest storylines of the early offseason. Adding James would pair the all-time scorer with Stephen Curry and potentially reshape Western Conference dynamics.
Strong final season with the Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2025-26. He finished as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 43,440 points and the all-time leader in games played with 1,622.
The 22-time All-Star once again proved he can still impact games at an elite level even late in his career. His consistency and basketball IQ remained hallmarks of his game.
Looking ahead
At 41, LeBron James has made it clear he is not ready to retire. His decision keeps alive the possibility of chasing another title in a new environment.
The basketball world now waits to see where the league’s all-time leading scorer will land. Whether he joins the Warriors or another team, LeBron James continues to write one of the most remarkable chapters in NBA history.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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