LeBron James isn’t retiring — but he will be on a new team next season. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will leave the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, the team confirmed Tuesday after multiple reports. “LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” Lakers owner Jean ie Buss said in a statement. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.” James, 41, spent eight seasons with the Lakers after previous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18) and Miami Heat (2010-14). He led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship in the 2019-20 season, which ended in the bubble in Orlando due to Covid. Over his Lakers tenure, James became the league’s top all-time scorer, made eight All-Star appearances and seven All-NBA teams. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game in the regular season with 63 postseason games played. James also famously joined his son, Bronny James, on the floor for the last two seasons as the first father-son duo to play together. The Lakers fully guaranteed the younger James’ $2.3 million contract for next season on Monday. Things have changed in recent years for James, though, since the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic. The younger superstar became the face and future of the franchise, leaving James to play in a secondary role alongside Austin Reaves. Last season, the Lakers went 53-29 and lost in the second round to the Oklahoma City Thunder. James played just 60 games, causing him to miss out on All-NBA for the first time since his rookie year. Now a free agent for the fourth time in his career, James’ next move could be his last. He will enter his 24th NBA season as the league’s oldest player. James’ next team has been speculated as the Golden State Warriors, who reportedly could look to pair in-house stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green with James and his former teammate Anthony Davis. Other teams pursuing James could include his former homes in Cleveland and Miami, though they’ll have less money to spend compared to Golden State. NBA free agency officially opens at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Tuesday, June 30. ...read more read less