NBA: LeBron James’ Lakers exit sets up another big decision

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James grimaces as he grabs the ball after a whistle during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, which means another decision awaits.

A mere 16 years after his first famed “decision” — the one that saw him leave Cleveland for Miami — James is getting ready to change uniforms once again. He has told the Lakers that his eight-year run with them is over and that he’ll play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere.

READ: NBA: LeBron James to leave Lakers, will play elsewhere

“Truly an honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continue the greatness and legacies that came before me,” James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, said in a post on X, replying to a “thank you” post from Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss.

“Hope I made a few proud during my stint,” he added.

James has made clear many times in recent years that more championships are his motivation, which means it’s almost certain he’ll pick a team that he believes can contend for the NBA title in 2027. Golden State is believed to be on his list, though there are certainly some who will wonder if reunions with Cleveland and Miami are possible. Or, perhaps, a new landing spot awaits such as San Antonio, where he could partner with 7-foot-4 global megastar Victor Wembanyama.

READ: NBA: If not now, when? LeBron James tears stoke retirement talk

“I’ve done it all. I’ve seen it all,” James said when the Lakers’ season ended in May — after what was his last game with the franchise. “Just being able to compete and trying to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”

The first half of his decision is complete: He’s back for at least one more year, which means his family agreed to that part of the plan — James had said his wife Savannah and 12-year-old daughter Zhuri would have big says in whether he continued to play.

His next decision — where to play — is among the biggest dominoes that will fall during the NBA’s offseason player movement window, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded by Milwaukee to Miami.

The next step for James is hearing from interested teams — Golden State, Miami and Cleveland were among the clubs expected to make pitches, a person with knowledge of the plans said — before he picks a landing spot. How long the process will take is anyone’s guess, and the person made clear to The Associated Press that money won’t be a factor in James’ decision.