LeBron James is leaving the Lakers.
Multiple media outlets said on Tuesday that James told the team it can move on without him because he will play elsewhere this upcoming season. James is a free agent now and can sign with any team that offers.
In a statement on the Lakers’ social media pages, Jeanie Buss said that James "will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family."
James responded to the statement on X, writing that it was "truly an honor" to play for the Lakers.
The 41-year-old has played 23 seasons in the NBA, joining the league right out of high school in 2003. He signed with the Lakers in 2018 and led the team to the 2020 NBA championship in the COVID bubble. He also won three other NBA titles--two with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“What LeBron has done throughout his career is leverage the media, probably better than any modern athlete,” 97.1 The Fan's Brock Vereen told L.A.’s Morning News. “Knowing he wants to go one place, he will pretend and leak quotes that he's going somewhere else just to gain leverage. I did not think he would actually leave the Lakers."
The Lakers drafted James' son, Bronny, two years ago. Bronny is currently under contract with the Lakers.
It's unclear if the team will trade him to play with his dad or let him out of the contract.
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