Why LeBron Only Now Announced His Departure from the Lakers

LeBron James announced on Tuesday that he does not intend to re-sign with the LA Lakers, opting instead to continue his NBA career, now entering its 24th season, with another team. The decision, whether he would stay or leave, had been long anticipated but was only confirmed by his agent, Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, a day after his son Bronny's contract with the Los Angeles franchise became fully guaranteed.

Bronny James's contract with the Lakers, valued at $2.3 million (€2.016 million), became fully guaranteed on Monday. Bronny, 21, was the Lakers' 55th pick in the 2024 draft. This move meant that in the 2024/25 season, the duo would not only become the first father and son to play in the NBA in the same season but also on the same team.

On October 22, 2024, during the Lakers' first game of the season against the Wolves, both played simultaneously, fulfilling a long-held dream for LeBron. That season, Bronny played 27 regular-season games and two playoff games. In the 2025/26 season, he appeared in 42 games, with an additional eight in the second phase of the championship. Meanwhile, LeBron's eldest son has also been a presence on the G-League's Coachella Valley Lakers team.

Despite his career always being linked to his father's presence, the Lakers are under no obligation to trade him. In fact, his continued presence could be the simplest and most advantageous option for the team, which is reorganizing around Luka Doncic and the re-signed Austin Reaves.

Bronny represents a low-cost option for the perimeter rotation, with a team option for the 2027/28 season. His progress has been gradual, and while his statistics remain modest (2.9 pts, 0.5 reb, 1.2 ast), he has shown improvement in three-point shooting (38.6%) and potential to become a valuable defensive asset off the bench.

Regarding LeBron James, sources indicate that Rich Paul and Lakers president Rob Pelinka recently discussed the four-time NBA champion's plans. James's decision was communicated well before the start of the free agency period as a gesture of courtesy and appreciation for his time with the club, allowing them to plan their offseason. Earlier in the year, LeBron's agent had hinted that the Lakers were preparing for a new phase.

Meanwhile, LeBron James publicly reacted to his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers with a brief and cordial message on X, thanking the club for the past eight years. In response to a message from the Lakers wishing him well, the 22-time All-Star wrote: "No, THANK YOU!" He added: "It was a true honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continue the greatness and legacies that came before me! I hope I made some proud during my tenure."

For their part, the LA team made it clear they hold no ill will. Jeanie Buss, the club's co-owner, now as a minority partner, described James as "one of the greatest athletes in history" when confirming his departure. "We will always be grateful for his eight years with the Lakers — including the title he led us to in 2020, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and the countless records he broke in purple and gold," Buss stated in a press release. "We wish him the best for the future, both on and off the court. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family."

"LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships," Rich Paul told The Athletic. "We understand the difficulty of winning now while preparing for the future. We want to assess what's best for LeBron at this stage of his life and career. He wants every remaining season to count, and the Lakers understand that, support him, and want the best for him. We are very grateful for the eight-year partnership we've had with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers a fundamental part of his career."