LeBron James’ New Team Revealed After Exiting Los Angeles Lakers

5 days ago 12

LeBron James Breaks Silence on Exit From Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James is slam dunking into a new era. 

The four-time NBA title holder signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming 2026-2027 season after playing as the Los Angeles Lakers' star forward for eight years, during which time the team nabbed the 2020 championship.

"I thought I was done when the season ended," he shared to X July 24. "I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give."

The Olympian added, "The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?"

And after a brief timeout, James' decision was all about where he could truly see himself.

"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team," he noted, "and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”

James’ big move marks a historic chapter in his career, as fans speculate it could be one of the 41-year-old's last seasons. James initially joined the NBA in 2003, being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers straight out of high school.

Following a seven-year tenure with his hometown team, where James scored the coveted Rookie of the Year honor, the so-called "Boy from Akron" would go on to make "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat in 2010. There, James led the Florida-based team to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 alongside teammate Dwyane Wade.

However, James eventually returned to his Ohio roots, rejoining the Cavs in 2014. He helped the team claim their first-ever Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2016, before leaving again to make history with the Lakers. 

“Truly a honor to wear the [purple and gold] while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me,” James wrote on X June 30 after announcing his Lakers exit. “Hope I made a few proud during my stint."

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

And the gratitude for the MVP's time starring in the "LakeShow" was mutual, with the team's owner Jeanie Buss calling James "one of the greatest athletes in history" in her statement confirming his departure.

"We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers, including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold," Buss wrote. "We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off."

While James' time with the Lakers has come to an end, his son Bronny James—who played with his dad for two seasons—has yet to announce his future with the SoCal favorites. 

For a closer look at athletes and their sporty kids, keep reading...

NBC via Getty Images

Michael Jordan, Jeffrey Jordan and Marcus Jordan

Considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, it didn’t come as a surprise that the Chicago Bulls alum's sons, Jeffrey Jordan and Marcus Jordan, sought to follow in his footsteps. After shooting hoops in high school, Jeffrey went on to play in college at both the University of Illinois and University of Central Florida, eager to step out of his dad’s shadow.

“I guess I’m not the top one or two or three or four players in my state,” Jeffrey told The Washington Post in 2005, “but I want to show that I can play here and that I'm not just a name.”

Marcus also played basketball during his own studies at UCF, crediting his dad for helping him chart his own path.

“He was giving me tips and pointers whenever I had questions and stuff like that,” he told The Gainesville Sun in 2011, “but really he was just telling me to be focused and work hard every day, because eventually it will pay off.”

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

LeBron James, Bronny James and Bryce James

Bronny James (born LeBron James Jr. on born Oct. 6, 2004) played high school basketball for Chatsworth Sierra Canyon in the San Fernando Valley before graduating to the University of Southern California.

While the NBA schedule has often kept LeBron from being able to attend a full slate of his son's games, he went to great lengths to watch Bronny in action. In fact, he once chartered a plane on an off-day to catch Sierra Canyon play against his own alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio.

"To go watch my son play...and also versus my alma mater," LeBron told reporters, "it's a pretty surreal, come-full-circle, unbelievable thing."

In June 2024, Bronny was drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers, making him and LeBron the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.

As for LeBron's younger son Bryce James? He started playing college basketball for the University of Arizona in 2025.

Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Dwyane Wade and Zaire Wade

Also helping to make up the Sierra Canyon all-star squad? Zaire Wade, the eldest son of retired Miami Heat star.

"You've got to embrace it," Zaire, who transferred there in December 2019 from Florida, told Yahoo! Sports about the unusual amount of attention being paid to his team. "There are cameras on us wherever we go. There has been a lot of attention on me my whole life, but this is crazy. This is another level."

However, Zaire—unhappy with the lack of playing time he ended up getting—announced on Instagram In April 2020 that he'd be transferring to Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, Fla.

Zaire was the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA G League draft, joining the Salt Lake City Stars. He went on to play for Cape Town Tigers of the Basketball Africa League before signing with the of the ASEAN Basketball League in April 2024.

Chad Johnson/Instagram

Chad Johnson and Cha'iel Johnson

The retired football star has a daughter who may be able to leave him in the dust by now. After all, Cha'iel Johnson is a track and field star who competed in the 2017 AAU Junior Olympics at 12, winning the girls' 800-meter run.

She ran for St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, before joining the University of Kentucky athletics team.

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Shaquille O'Neal and Shareef O'Neal

The NBA Hall of Famer's third-eldest child, who measures up at 6-foot-10, played college basketball for UCLA before being sidelined with a heart condition that required surgery.

After missing out on his 2018-19 season with the California-based school, he transferred to Louisiana State, where there's a 900-pound bronze statue of Shaq outside the LSU Basketball Practice Facility in honor of its famous alum.

After graduating from LSU, the basketball star joined the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental basketball league in the NBA G League, in 2022.

Cassy Athena/Getty Images

Shaquille O'Neal and Amirah O'Neal

Shaq's 6-foot-2 daughter (pictured here with her brother Shareef O'Neal) announced her LSU enrollment in 2020 to join her sibling in playing college basketball for the school.

"One of the most difficult decisions for a person my age to make, is the jump from high school to college," she shared at the time. "Although I don't fully know what's ahead of me, I am ready for the challenge. I never imagined myself saying this, but I am excited to say that I have decided to commit to being a student athlete at LSU along side my brother Shareef O'Neal. I am Sooooo grateful to spend my next 4 years as a Tiger."

She then transferred to Texas Southern University's basketball program as part of their 2021-2022 team.

Zach Randolph/Instagram

Zack Randolph and MacKenly Randolph

The eldest daughter of two-time NBA All-Star played basketball alongside fellow NBA star scion Izela Arenas, daughter of Gilbert Arenas, during her studies at Sierra Canyon.

"I went to Michigan State under coach Tom Izzo," Randolph told the Los Angeles Times in December 2020. "He was a dog. Just hard. The boys you can be a little rough with. The girls, they have you wrapped around your finger. The girls look at you, 'Dad, I'm trying.' You have a special spot for the girls."

MacKenly said she'd beaten her dad three times in one-on-one, quipping, "He doesn't play any defense."

Terique Owens/Instagram

Terrell Owens and Terique Owens

The 6-foot-3 son of the NFL Hall of Famer committed to Florida Atlantic University in 2019 as a preferred walk-on. Terique played basketball for most of his life before switching to football as a teen. He got his post-high school playing career off the ground at Contra Costa Community College before transferring.

After his college football career, Terique signed with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.

Scottie Pippen/Instagram

Scottie Pippen and Scotty Pippen Jr.

The Sierra Canyon graduate started all four years and won two state titles. He played college ball for Vanderbilt, before signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022.

After a brief stint on the NBA G-League affiliate the South Bay Lakers, Scotty Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024.

Unique Nicole/Getty Images/Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register

Dennis Rodman and Dennis "DJ" Rodman Jr.

The former Chicago Bulls star and five-time NBA champion is a lot of things—and a dad is one of them.

His son Dennis Rodman Jr.—or DJ—played basketball and football at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif. After graduation, he became a forward at Washington State, before transferring to University of Southern California in 2023.

"He's one of the more under-rated or unknown players in Southern California," his high school coach, Ryan Schachter, told the Orange County Register after a game in 2017.

After his college career, DJ joined Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League in 2024.

Tony Quinn/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Dennis Rodman and Trinity Rodman

Though Dennis' son DJ followed his footsteps into basketball, his daughter Trinity Rodman carved her own path in the world of soccer. After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled her freshman season with the Washington State Cougars, she went professional and joined Washington Spirit in 2021 and United States women's national soccer team in 2022.

In 2024, Trinity won Olympic gold as part of Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods

It's only fitting that golfing's GOAT has a kid who's got mad skills on the course. Charlie Woods made his televised-golf debut at the age of 11 alongside his dad at the 2020 PNC Championship.

When asked if he had been working on his swing ahead of the father-son outing, the 15-time major champion said, "I haven't put in any time. I don't really care about my game. I'm just trying to make sure that Charlie has the time of his life and is able to enjoy all of this.'' 

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

Read Entire Article