LeBron James leaving Lakers prompts reaction from Luka, MagicESPN staffJun 30, 2026, 05:51 PM ETMultiple Authors
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For the first time since July 2018, LeBron James won’t be suiting up in the purple and gold.
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LeBron tells Lakers he plans to play elsewhere
James informed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.
It ends a tenure that began in 2018 when James stunned the sports world and signed with the Lakers from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He led the Lakers to a championship in 2020 and won his fourth NBA Finals MVP. James made history in February 2023, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points in NBA history. Los Angeles made the playoffs in all but two of his seasons with the team.
James is the only player in Lakers history to have averaged 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game in more than five consecutive campaigns, hitting those marks in all eight of his seasons in Los Angeles, according to ESPN Research.
The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Cavaliers are among the teams expected to be in the running to sign James, sources told Charania.
James’ decision led to widespread reaction on social media. Here’s how the internet reacted to the news.
NBA’s biggest names
The four-time NBA champion sent his thanks to the Lakers after the franchise shared a message from president and governor Jeanie Buss. James’ former Lakers teammates Luka Doncic and Dwight Howard plus Laker legends Magic Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar also chimed in.
No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the 💜💛 while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint. 🙏🏾🫡👑 https://t.co/RmQ6uvvgv0
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 30, 2026
View this post on Instagram
I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent Rich Paul for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us. He created a whole new era for the Lakers, including leading us to an NBA Championship in 2020 and all the…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 30, 2026
@KingJames LeBron was a winner on and off the court, and Laker fans should appreciate his performance for the last 8 years. If LeBron goes home to Cleveland, it won’t matter if they win the World Championship or not because his hometown fans will get their opportunity to say… pic.twitter.com/TbqcidzTt0
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 30, 2026
Lebron farewell tour in Ohio going to be popcorn 🍿
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) June 30, 2026
Rest of the sports world and beyond
While at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, James was an all-state wide receiver. Given today’s news, it didn’t take long for some NFL teams plus Oklahoma State to start recruiting him, while other NFL players offered their thoughts. A handful of other teams, including the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, even added their own spin to lure James. Merriam-Webster added its own comments, too.
Heard he’s a free agent pic.twitter.com/w7CDE1MAEj
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 30, 2026
Never say never. pic.twitter.com/aLc7nnNo40
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 30, 2026
https://t.co/lVtMQm7LFy pic.twitter.com/1qW3aF3a3B
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) June 30, 2026
The portal never sleeps @KingJames pic.twitter.com/DPoyABb8QS
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) June 30, 2026
LeWinnipeg Jets https://t.co/3UAryWyFsP pic.twitter.com/UXy1LmRd1S
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) June 30, 2026
Lebron James…. welcome to the Indiana Pacers
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) June 30, 2026
I’d rather see Bron back in Cleveland than going to GSW personally
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) June 30, 2026
Where we going Bron lol ?!?
— Quanny B. (@JaquanBrisker) June 30, 2026
Glad Bron left LA now stay away from GS!
— Nino (@qdiggs6) June 30, 2026
LeBron James, would you like to come work in the Merriam-Webster Citation Archives? pic.twitter.com/JGJfkUeUlU
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) June 30, 2026
