TITLE: LeBron James Thanks Lakers Organization and Teammates After Eight Seasons
SLUG: lebron-james-thanks-lakers-after-eight-seasons
CONTENT:
LeBron James publicly expressed gratitude to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, acknowledging the franchise, staff and former teammates after his eight-year tenure came to an end.
Speaking at Fanatics Fest NYC, the 41-year-old forward praised the organization from ownership to support staff.
“Shoutout my former team, I spent eight great years with the Los Angeles Lakers,” James said. “One of the most historical franchises in the world. Shoutout Jeanie Buss, the whole Buss family. Rob Pelinka. Everybody. All the coaches that I played for there. All my teammates. I’m going to miss them all, obviously.”
James joined the Lakers in 2018 after stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. During his stay in Los Angeles, he captured the 2020 NBA championship inside the Orlando bubble, became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and shared the court with his son, Bronny James, during the 2025-26 season.
His next NBA destination has not been announced, but the four-time MVP said he is “looking forward to what holds next” as he approaches the final years of his career.
Austin Reaves, who spent his first five NBA seasons alongside James, admitted he is still adjusting to life without the veteran superstar in the locker room as the Lakers prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
The Lakers have not commented on plans to replace James, whose departure marks the end of the franchise’s longest continuous relationship with a star player since Kobe Bryant’s 20-year career in purple and gold.
Source: LakersNation.com
