LeBron James has spent eight seasons with the LA Lakers, the longest he’s ever been on an NBA team. On Tuesday, James’ time in Tinseltown came to an end as he and his camp confirmed his departure in free agency this offseason.
After news of LBJ’s departure broke, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss posted a heartfelt tribute, thanking James for accomplishments like the 2020 NBA title and “the countless records he broke in purple and gold.” In response, James tweeted his gratitude to Buss and the Lakers franchise.
“No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint.”
Among other statistical feats, James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in his fifth season with the Lakers. Back in February 2023, he surpassed the 38,387 benchmark set by Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s new scoring king.
Though James and Buss may have been feeling sentimental on Tuesday, it’s worth noting that there have been rumblings of a feud between the two in the past. In a January piece on the Buss family, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported that Jeanie “privately grumbled” at what she perceived to be “James’ outsized ego,” as well as the influence that he and Klutch Sports supposedly wielded over the Lakers organization.
James later claimed that the story didn’t “bother” him, while Buss released a statement saying that it “wasn’t right” for the four-time NBA champion to be “pulled into my family drama.”
“This Is a Happiness-Led Decision”: Shams Charania Sheds Light on LeBron James’ Decision to Leave Lakers
Interestingly, when Shams Charania went on air Tuesday afternoon to shed more light on LeBron James’ departure, he reported that there was a personal motivation underlying the decision.
“I’m told this is a happiness-led decision for LeBron James. He feels like he needs to find his happiness elsewhere. And, whereverhe lands in free agency, it will not be driven by money.”
Charania went on to name the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Miami Heat as potential “suitors” for James, who looks primed to compete in his 24th NBA season this year.
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