LeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he plans to continue his career with another team, according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul in reporting relayed by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move would end his Lakers chapter after eight seasons in Los Angeles.
James arrived from Cleveland in 2018 and became the centerpiece of a Lakers era that included the 2020 NBA championship, when he also earned Finals MVP honors. During his time in Los Angeles, he also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The basketball impact is immediate: ESPN reported that Golden State, Miami and Cleveland are among the teams expected to pursue him, though no destination has been confirmed. For the Lakers, the question now shifts from celebrating a decorated run to defining what comes next without him.
The news also triggered a broad social-media response from NBA figures, former teammates, other sports teams and athletes. Much of that reaction was playful or speculative, but it underlined how James’ next move remains one of the league’s biggest storylines.
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