On Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers paid tribute to James, thanking him for his remarkable contribution to the team, including leading the franchise to the 2020 NBA Championship.
Responding to the club’s farewell message, the 41-year-old said:
“Thank you so much. Honestly, wearing the Purple and Gold jersey has been a tremendous honor. I will always cherish the greatness we achieved and the legacy we built together.”
Reports suggest that James could join fellow NBA superstar Stephen Curry at the Golden State Warriors or return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team where he began his NBA career.
During his eight-year spell with the Lakers, James continued to cement his status as one of basketball’s greatest players. A four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), he has now completed 23 seasons in the league.
Last season, James averaged 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game, demonstrating that he remains one of the NBA’s elite performers despite being in his 40s.
Throughout his illustrious career, James has been selected to the All-NBA Team 22 times and has won four NBA championships. He is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, having amassed 43,440 career points in 1,622 regular-season games.
Before joining the Lakers in 2018, James enjoyed successful stints with the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning NBA titles with both franchises and establishing a legacy that places him among the greatest players in basketball history.
