LeBron James has broken his silence regarding his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, confirming his decision to move on to another team in 2026. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, James shared a concise and cordial three-sentence message thanking the Lakers for the past eight seasons.
"No, THANK YOU!" James wrote in response to a Lakers post wishing him well in his future endeavors. "Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint."
James' agent, Rich Paul, informed media members of the star player's decision earlier this week. The Lakers organization has publicly expressed no hard feelings. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss called James "one of the greatest athletes in history" in a statement confirming his departure.
"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," Buss stated. "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 joined the Lakers as a free agent in 2018. During his eight seasons with the team, he was an All-Star in each year and led them to a championship in 2020. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game during his tenure with the Los Angeles franchise.
While James has not yet announced his next team, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly considered the most likely destinations.