LeBron James reportedly leaving Lakers, Golden State among possible destinations

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that immediately changes the first hours of NBA free agency and gives rival front offices a new star to chase. James is planning to play a record-extending 24th season somewhere other than Los Angeles, with negotiations opening at 6 p.m. ET on June 30 and contracts eligible to be signed beginning July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Golden State has emerged as one of the most obvious landing spots because the Warriors have gained roster flexibility and because James has long-standing ties to Draymond Green, Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr. That conversation picked up more force after Green declined his $27.7 million player option on June 29, a decision that opened more room for the Warriors to maneuver as the market turns over. If James and Golden State ever made the leap from speculation to structure, it would instantly become one of the league’s defining late-career superteam stories.

The Lakers chapter already stands as one of the most important stretches of James’ career. He spent eight seasons in Los Angeles, longer than any other stop on his journey, and delivered the 2020 championship. In February 2023, he became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader while wearing a Lakers uniform, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and adding another layer to a resume already shaped by Cleveland, Miami and a second run in Cleveland before Los Angeles.

James’ next move has been building for more than a year. He exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season on June 29, 2025, and Rich Paul said at the time that James wanted to keep a realistic chance to win a championship. ESPN later said James would be an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, making this summer’s market one of the most watched in the league.

At 41, James is the NBA’s oldest active player and will turn 42 on December 30. His exit forces the Lakers into a post-LeBron future while pushing contenders to decide whether they can absorb one more superstar swing without compromising the flexibility needed for the rest of the offseason.