LeBron James is not done with basketball — he is just done with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has informed the franchise it can move on without him and intends to play elsewhere in 2026-27, according to agent Rich Paul. The news was relayed by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
It sets up the first real free agency of James’ career since 2018. At 41, the oldest player in the league is walking away from a Lakers team now built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — and the question now is simply where he goes next.
Potential landing spots for LeBron James
The news, posted to X by Charania, immediately puts three familiar names in the frame.
The Golden State Warriors are seen as the frontrunners. Stephen Curry is chasing one last title, and Golden State have looked into pairing James with him.
He would have to take a major pay cut, likely the mid-level exception, but the move keeps him in California and close to home.
The Miami Heat make sense too. James won two titles in Miami, knows head coach Erik Spoelstra well, and the Heat have just landed Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A core of James, Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo would be one of the most fascinating projects in the league, even if the money would be tight.
Then there is Cleveland, the romantic choice. The Cavaliers drafted James, sit close to his hometown of Akron.
They are already a contender. Not everyone is convinced, though — former teammate Channing Frye recently suggested the current Cleveland roster has issues James cannot fix.
Free agency is here, and for the first time since 2018, James is on the board. Wherever he signs, it should be the final move of his career — although with him, you never know.
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