LeBron James is preparing to enter another defining phase of his career after thanking the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday for what he called an “honor” to wear the franchise’s purple and gold, as NBA free agency opened with uncertainty over where the league’s all-time leading scorer will play next.
James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time Finals MVP, responded on social media after the Lakers praised his eight-year tenure, which included the 2020 title inside the NBA bubble and multiple franchise milestones. The 41-year-old wrote, “No, THANK YOU,” adding that it was a privilege to carry forward the legacy of the organization.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement, highlighting his championship run, records, and lasting impact. “He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
James joined the Lakers in 2018 after stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, extending a career that has defined multiple eras of the league. In Miami, he won two titles alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, before returning to Cleveland and delivering the city its first NBA championship in 2016 with a historic comeback from a 3-1 Finals deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
