EARTHQUAKE IN THE NBA: LeBron Leaves the Lakers, But Will Play Next Season!

LeBron James will return for another NBA season, but not in the jersey of the Los Angeles Lakers. According to always well-informed NBA insider Shams Charania, LeBron has informed the Lakers that they can move forward without him.

For months, speculation surrounded whether LeBron James would continue his career or finally hang up his sneakers. Now, Shams Charania and ESPN report that the future of one of the greatest players ever to step onto a basketball court has finally been decided. Yes, LeBron will continue playing at the age of 42—but not with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and LeBron’s longtime agent and business partner, officially confirmed the news. According to Paul, LeBron personally informed the Lakers’ front office that he would not be returning to Los Angeles and that the franchise is free to plan its future without him.

The Lakers expressed to James that they wanted him back, but the NBA's all-time leading scorer decides to move on elsewhere. https://t.co/hGhK4gGd42

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026

Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reported move to the Miami Heat, James’ departure from the Lakers is undoubtedly the biggest blockbuster of the NBA offseason.

James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning one NBA championship in 2020 alongside Anthony Davis.

Despite entering his fifth decade of life, “The King” remains an elite player, and a fierce race for his signature is now expected. American media report that the Golden State Warriors are currently the leading contenders, although questions remain about how realistic that scenario is, given that the Warriors have already exceeded the NBA salary cap and can currently offer him only a relatively modest contract.

There is also speculation that Golden State plans to trade Jimmy Butler to the Washington Wizards and acquire Anthony Davis in return, reuniting the duo that led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title. If that happens, the Warriors would once again assemble a superteam featuring Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis and LeBron James as its cornerstone stars.

What a poetic ending it would be if Stephen Curry and LeBron James—two fierce rivals who battled each other countless times when “The King” was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers—played the final chapter of their legendary careers wearing the same jersey.

MORE TOPICS:

THE KARAĐORĐEVIĆS AWOKE THE DIASPORA IN CHICAGO: “Serbia should return to its tradition, to be a monarchy again!” (VIDEO)

SERBIAN AMONG THE VICTIMS IN A PLANE CRASH: Skydiving instructor Filip Kovačević killed in an accident in France!

“IF HE DOES NOT GIVE UP, HE IS GOING TO THE CEMETERY”: Kokeza hired criminals to attack Nemanja Vidić, scandalous messages revealed!

GREAT INITIATIVE FROM ENGLAND: How to most easily teach your children in the diaspora to write and read Cyrillic! (PHOTO)

VOICE AND VERSES THAT AWAKEN PRIDE: Danica Crnogorčević released a new song that gladdened Serbs around the world! (VIDEO)

GENIUS FROM SERBIA THRILLED THE WORLD: Veljko learned to program at only eight years old, and now he is the best student of Novi Sad!

Source: Sportal.rs, Foto: AP