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LeBron James Declines to Return to Lakers, Will Sign Elsewhere as Unrestricted Free Agent
LeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers he will sign elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent at 6 p.m. ET. His agent Rich Paul confirmed the decision and stated James will play the 2026-27 season.
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LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons. His agent Rich Paul told ESPN on Tuesday that James has informed the team of his intent to sign elsewhere once he becomes an unrestricted free agent at 6 p.m. ET.
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Paul also confirmed James will play in the 2026-27 season, extending his NBA record to 24 seasons. The Lakers acquired Luka Dončić at the 2025 trade deadline, which shifted roster priorities and placed James in a reduced offensive role. Lakers president Jeanie Buss issued a statement thanking James for his eight seasons with the team.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers -- including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family." James led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title and became the league's all-time leading scorer in 2023 while wearing a Lakers uniform. The team finished the regular season 15-2 in March behind the James-Dončić-Reaves trio. James guided the Lakers to a first-round upset over the Houston Rockets before the team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.”
