LeBron James statement made as ‘cherished’ icon departs with $3m Bronny James question mark

LeBron James has chosen to move on from the Los Angeles Lakers, and will play his unprecedented 24th NBA season away from Tinseltown.

The basketball great, who spent the past eight years with the team and won an NBA title with them in 2019-20, has been heavily linked with the Golden State Warriors.

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According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bay Area team are planning to pursue LeBron once the free agency negotiating window begins on Tuesday at 6pm ET.

James’ former teams Miami and Cleveland are also thought to be in the mix.

On Monday, Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option, which has opened up flexibility for the Warriors to chase the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

LeBron could potentially reunite with former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis too, with Golden State said to be lining up a deal to bring him in from the Washington Wizards .

If all goes to plan, the Warriors look set to have Stephen Curry, LeBron and AD on their roster for next season.

While that prospect is exciting for basketball fans all over the world, the Lakers will be left without their biggest draw moving forward.

Following LeBron’s decision to move on, Los Angeles paid tribute to the 41-year-old who helped deliver an NBA title en-route to smashing personal records.

LA Lakers share LeBron James statement as split confirmed

“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” a message, shared by team governor Jeanie Buss after LeBron’s decision went public, read.

“We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers — including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold.

“We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off.

“He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”

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The graphic, shared across Lakers’ social channels, also included the words: “Thank you LeBron,” in gold lettering.

While James departs, his bloodline will still be on the Lakers roster.

Lakers left with Bronny James question mark as LeBron departs

Son Bronny James will remain in LA, and is entering his third season in the league having been drafted by the team in 2024.

His rise has been steady, and James Jr. has gone from primarily playing in the G League during his first season to appearing in eight playoff games earlier this spring.

Bronny’s contract also became fully guaranteed for $2.3m around 24 hours before LeBron’s departure was announced.

While any deadline for the Lakers to cut the 21-year-old has now passed, it’s unclear how he will be used moving forward.

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Bronny has shown signs of development in the past couple of seasons, and has gone from appearing in 27 regular-season games as a rookie — while also splitting time with the South Bay Lakers — to appearing 42 times during 2025-26.

His contract is also minimal, with a team option for next season. That could help the Lakers continue to develop Bronny’s talent, even without his father close by.

James exit ushers in new Lakers era

LeBron’s departure also signals a shift to the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles.

The Slovenian will now serve as the cornerstone of the team, and carry the Lakers into a new era.

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He also paid tribute to his departing teammate on Tuesday, sharing a photo on his Instagram Story of the pair hugging with the caption: “An honor to play with and learn from you.”

Next season, Doncic will be the head of the snake.

If he can stay healthy, he’ll be tasked with putting the team on his back and dragging them to the promised land without LeBron.

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