LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, with his agent Rich Paul confirming to ESPN’s Shams Charania that James will pursue free agency for the 2026-27 season rather than return to Los Angeles. The news prompted tributes from Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, franchise legends Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and current teammate Luka Doncic, all crediting James for the 2020 championship and his record-breaking run in purple and gold.
