LeBron James will continue his historic career with a new team after officially leaving the Los Angeles Lakers following eight seasons and one championship, his fourth overall. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported that James will return for a 24th NBA season, extending his record over former Raptor Vince Carter, who played 22 seasons.
James remains elite despite age
Unlike Carter and others who played at least 20 years, James remains an elite player. He just averaged 20.9 points (his lowest since his rookie season but on a higher field goal percentage than his career average), along with 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists. At 42 years old in December, he continues to defy age.
Potential landing spots
LeBron James is expected to have several suitors. Most speculation centers on a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint or joining fellow veterans Steph Curry and Draymond Green with the Golden State Warriors. A Miami reunion with Giannis Antetokounmpo is appealing on paper but difficult given the Heat’s salary cap constraints. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that James and his team will talk to a few suitors leading up to the start of NBA free agency Tuesday evening but are in no rush to make a decision.
James’ legacy in Cleveland and Miami
James spent seven spectacular years in Cleveland after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2003, winning his first two MVP awards and leading the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. He then shocked the sporting world by leaving for Miami to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They made the Finals all four years, winning twice, and James was Finals MVP both times. He returned to Cleveland in 2014, nearly winning a title on his own before defeating Curry’s Warriors in 2016, ending a six-decade championship drought for Cleveland. During that second stint, James repeatedly dominated the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs, earning the moniker 'LeBronto'.
Was LeBron’s Lakers run a success?
James took his family to Los Angeles and won the championship in his first year there in the NBA’s COVID bubble in Florida. The Lakers had only one other solid playoff run during his time, often exiting in the first round (three times) and missing the playoffs entirely one year. The writing was on the wall for a departure once the team acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Many Lakers fans never fully accepted James, a long-time rival of franchise icon Kobe Bryant, but he delivered a 17th championship, briefly tying the Lakers with the arch-rival Boston Celtics. The Lakers and James exchanged thank-yous on X after the news became official. James posted: 'No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the ?? while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint.'
