NBA legend LeBron James confirmed the rumors were true, announcing that he is departing the Los Angeles Lakers organization during free agency.
As James prepares to play his 24th season for a new franchise, fellow legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflected on James’ eight-year chapter in Los Angeles.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Praises LeBron James Ahead Of New Chapter
Abdul-Jabbar praised James on social media as he prepares to start his next chapter, writing, “LeBron was a winner on and off the court, and Laker fans should appreciate his performance for the last 8 years.”
The six-time MVP believed that James’ final basketball chapter would be a positive one, as he may return home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“If LeBron goes home to Cleveland, it won’t matter if they win the World championship or not because it’s hometown fans will get their opportunity to say their goodbyes to one of the greatest ever. And who knows one day he may become Mayor!!”
@KingJames LeBron was a winner on and off the court, and Laker fan 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 it’s Hometown fans will get their opportunity to say… pic.twitter.com/efBX1VPkZb
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 30, 2026
James and Abdul-Jabbar are linked in history, as James passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s All-time leading scorer.
They also share Lakers history as NBA champions and Finals MVPs, with Abdul-Jabbar holding a clear advantage, having led the Lakers to five championships, compared to James’s one.
The relative lack of championships compared to other Lakers greats like Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant is why James leaves behind a complicated legacy in Los Angeles, according to many fans.
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James had a rough finish to his Lakers tenure as the team was swept out of the Western Conference Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Los Angeles was missing franchise player Luka Dončić for the playoffs after the Slovenian suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2.
After an impressive fight against the Houston Rockets in Round 1, James, who had become the team’s third option behind Dončić and Austin Reaves, admitted the team simply didn’t have enough talent to compete with the Thunder.
The blunt honesty was perhaps a clear sign that his time in Los Angeles was coming to an end, and speculation about his exit only intensified after the franchise reached a long-term contract extension with Reaves, especially since James’ agent, Rich Paul, made several controversial statements about the 28-year-old during the season.
Averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games this past season, the league’s all-time leading scorer has put the entire league on notice as they await his free agency decision.
