The bombshell announcement has sent the basketball world into a frenzy and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive with speculation over which team the 41-year-old will join. <\/p>\n
James spent eight years at the Lakers and won his fourth NBA championship and first with LA in 2020. He also broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar\u2019s all-time NBA scoring record in 2023 wearing the yellow and purple. <\/p>\n
Well and truly in the twilight of his career, James heads into free agency in search of a new team.<\/p>\n
The 22-time All-Star reportedly told Lakers president Rob Pelinka of his intention to leave the team ahead of the start of free agency to allow LA to conduct its off-season business.<\/p>\n
The Lakers reportedly wanted to keep James but he has decided to move on elsewhere. <\/p>\n
Speculation is mounting that James will stay in California to join the Golden State Warriors in a superteam of veterans alongside Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.<\/p>\n
NBA insider Jake Fischer said the Warriors \u201cwill certainly be pitching LeBron James to join Curry\u201d in San Francisco.<\/p>\n
Green has declined his $27.7 million player option for next season, giving the Warriors greater flexibility to negotiate a team friendly deal and attract star recruits for next season.<\/p>\n
If he joins Golden State, it will be the fourth NBA team James has played on after two stints in Cleveland, four years in Miami and eight seasons in LA. <\/p>\n
ESPN reported a source close to James said \u201cit was time to move on\u201d.<\/p>\n
He waited until his son Bronny James\u2019 $2.3 million contract became fully guaranteed before telling the Lakers he was leaving.<\/p>\n
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James\u2019 departure leaves a gaping hole on the Lakers roster with guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves now the two mainstays of the team. <\/p>\n
Earlier this week Reaves agreed to a monster four-year $185 million (A$267m) max deal.<\/p>\n
Aussie big man gets $20m payday<\/p>\n