LeBron James informs Lakers he plans to play elsewhere in 2026-27

LeBron James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA -- but it won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. 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," Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. "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."

James posted to X that it was "truly a honor to wear" the Lakers' uniform and that, "I hope I made a few proud during my stint."

After taking time to decompress and undergo some self-assessment, James came to the conclusion that he wanted to continue playing "meaningful, competitive basketball," a source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

James has instructed agent Rich Paul to talk to everyone around the league who is interested and come back to him with what the options are so he can make his decision, the source said.

While James is committed to returning for a 24th season, he has not made any decision as to whether that will be his final season in the NBA, the source said.

Sources told Charania on Monday that the Golden State Warriors were one of the teams planning to pursue James once the free agency negotiating window began Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.

Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option Monday, opening up the flexibility for the Warriors to pursue James and a possible trade with the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis, which would reunite the former Lakers teammates in Golden State. However, Andscape's Marc J. Spears reported Tuesday that the Wizards are not interested in moving on from Davis.

Warriors decision-makers have been given no indication as of Monday afternoon that Golden State is the firm landing spot for James, team sources told ESPN's Anthony Slater. There's a belief that the organization will have plenty of appeal for James, but there appears there will be some level of recruitment required.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, the other teams James has played for in his career, are also expected to be in the running to sign him, sources told Charania.

James, who will turn 42 in December, could have returned for a ninth season with the Lakers or retired as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Instead, he will choose a new team -- potentially the last of his storied career.

James' son, Bronny, doesn't appear to be accompanying his father as the Lakers opted to fully guarantee the second-year guard's $2.3 million deal, a league source familiar with the situation told ESPN's McMenamin. The Lakers had until Monday night to waive Bronny James and only be on the hook for part of his salary for next season but chose to keep him on the roster.

The Lakers are now armed with $52 million in salary cap space, according to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks, and have plenty of spots to fill -- namely at the wing, thanks to James' departure, and at the center position.

Detroit Pistons restricted free agent big man Jalen Duren has a planned meeting with the Lakers when free agency officially begins, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN's McMenamin. A pathway to land Duren could prove difficult, however, as sources told Andscape's Marc Spears that the Pistons have offered what the franchise believes is the most lucrative contract possible for Duren, are not interested in any sign-and-trade deals and will match any potential offer sheet he signs.

Another big the Lakers have interest in, league sources told McMenamin, is unrestricted free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili. The bruising 6-foot-9, 240-pound "Mamu" is coming off a career year with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 11.2 points on 52.3% shooting (38.9% from 3), 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

As for wings, there are several unrestricted free agents on the market who would fit the Lakers' needs and have been discussed internally by L.A., sources told McMenamin, including Tobias Harris, Dean Wade and Quentin Grimes.

James saw his record 21-year All-NBA streak snapped last season as he played in just 60 games after missing the first month because of sciatica affecting his lower back and right leg.

The four-time champion and four-time MVP will be entering what many consider to be the final chapter of his first-ballot Hall of Fame career while maintaining a level of performance unheard of for any other aging player.

James was an All-Star last season, averaging 20.9 points on 51.5% shooting, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He was equally effective in the postseason, upping his playing time from 33.2 to 38.4 minutes per game and averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds. He led L.A. to a first-round series win over the Houston Rockets while Luka Doncic was sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Doncic reacted to James' departure on social media, writing in a post to his Instagram story that it was "an honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames."