NBA icon LeBron James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer but plans to continue his NBA career for a record 24th season.That’s according to reports in the US, with ESPN insider Shams Charania the first to break the news on Tuesday afternoon.James will depart after eight seasons with the Lakers, including leading the franchise to the 2020 NBA championship, and now enters free agency to find a new team. Earlier this week, reports linked James – who is the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored and games played among other records – with a move to the Golden Warriors and a mouthwatering link-up with fellow superstar Steph Curry.The prospect of Lebron James teaming up with Steph Curry is a mouthwatering one (Getty)According to Charania, the Lakers wanted to keep James but the 41-year-old informed them he intended to move on elsewhere, ahead of the free agency period starting later on Tuesday.“LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere,” wrote Charania on social media.“Lakers president Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul [CEO of Klutch Sports, the agency that represents James] spoke a short time ago about the four-time champion's plans, sources said. “James chose to inform the Lakers well before start of free agency tonight out of courtesy and appreciation for their run together, and to allow LA to conduct its offseason business.”James led the Lakers to a 17th NBA title back in 2020 (Getty Images)After signing with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018, James averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists and 7.7 rebounds in 479 regular-season games with Los Angeles, while also being named Finals MVP in 2020 when leading the franchise to a 17th NBA title.The 41-year-old is in the conversation for the greatest NBA player of all-time and his next destination, whether that is indeed the Warriors or elsewhere in the league, will now be one of the off-season’s biggest storylines.