It sounds terribly worn out, but it truly feels like a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers. When a player as celebrated and decorated as LeBron James leaves a team, it really feels like a closed chapter that will never be replicated.

It, however, will forever be remembered.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations and general manager, opened his media conference on Thursday by tipping his hat to James and his lasting impact on the Purple and Gold.

“I thought it would be appropriate at the front to express gratitude for the LeBron era here. Clearly, new team and new players, and that's what we're going to talk about today. But we as an organization are still grateful for the run that we had with him here,” said Pelinka in a report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

He acknowledged that the four-time MVP made the Lakers “a perennial playoff team” in his eight seasons with the team.

“Won a championship, went to the Western Conference Finals. It was a great era, and we're grateful for it. I think it's important to say that at the onset as we turn into a new chapter,” added Pelinka, who helped bring James to the Lakers in 2018.

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Following his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, the 42-year-old forward expressed his gratitude to the Lakers, adding that it was an honor to play for the squad and join its long list of all-time greats.

Pelinka noted that they handled the situation “amicably, professionally, and gracefully.”

James averaged 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.2 steals with the Lakers. He also set multiple milestones in Los Angeles, most notably breaking the all-time scoring record of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2023.

James will make his first return to Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day.