LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers

NBALeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles LakersJames, 41, will be looking for a new team in his 24th season in the NBA. Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleLeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency02:38Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 30, 2026, 12:26 PM EDT / Updated June 30, 2026, 1:35 PM EDTBy Rohan NadkarniLeBron James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers he will play for a different team in the 2026-27 season, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania.Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.James, 41, played in 60 games for the Lakers last season, his 23rd in the NBA. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game for Los Angeles. James will now be an unrestricted free agent for the fourth time in his career, and the first time since 2018, when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Lakers. He made $52.6 million last season as part of a two-year contract he signed with Los Angeles in 2024. Though James’ scoring average in 2026 was his lowest since his rookie season, he improved his play in the playoffs, averaging 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 10 postseason appearances. He led the Lakers to a first-round upset of the Houston Rockets before bowing out to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, all without his co-star Luka Doncic. James, who will turn 42 in December, is one of the most decorated players in NBA history. He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time regular season MVP. He has been selected to 22 All-Star teams and has earned 20 All-NBA honors. Last season, he became the oldest player to average at least 20 points per game in the regular season.James’ tenure in Los Angeles was filled with ups and downs, however.He signed with the Lakers after his second stint with the Cavaliers, during which he made the Finals four straight times and won...