LeBron James to Play 24th NBA Season With New Team

LeBron James told the Los Angeles Lakers his eight-year tenure with the club has ended and that he will play a record-extending 24th NBA season with another team. The free-agency period opened at 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. James cannot sign a new contract until the league moratorium ends on July 6.

James has said his wife Savannah and 12-year-old daughter Zhuri will have significant input on his choice. A person familiar with the plans said money will not be a factor. Teams expected to make presentations include Golden State, Miami and Cleveland. The same person told The Associated Press that James wants to join a contender for the 2027 title.

The Lakers issued a statement thanking James for his time with the franchise.

“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. He is the NBA’s career scoring leader and a 22-time All-Star. He spent his first seven seasons in Cleveland, four in Miami, another four in Cleveland and eight in Los Angeles. He won four NBA titles and was part of the league’s 75th-anniversary team. The NBA set the 2026-27 salary cap at $164.961 million and the luxury-tax threshold at $200.428 million.”