LeBron James thanks Lakers ahead of free agency departure for 24th NBA season: 'Hope I made a few proud'

A 4th section is connected the skyline for LeBron James.

The soon-to-be 42-year-old volition genuinely trial escaped bureau for a 3rd clip this offseason aft helium and the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that helium volition permission the squad aft 8 seasons.

ESPN initially reported that James informed the Lakers connected Tuesday that helium would beryllium departing the squad for his unprecedented 24th NBA season.

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to fans aft the crippled against the Phoenix Suns astatine Acrisure Arena successful Palm Springs, California, connected Oct. 6, 2024. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Following the reports, the Lakers offered a connection thanking James, and it does not look arsenic though the 2 parties are ending their narration connected atrocious terms.

"LeBron James is 1 of the top athletes successful history. We volition ever beryllium thankful for his 8 years with the Lakers – including the rubric helium led america to successful 2020 nether the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records helium broke successful purple and gold," Lakers proprietor Jeanie Buss said. "We privation him each the champion successful the future, some connected the tribunal and off. He volition ever beryllium a cherished portion of the Lakers family."

James reposted the Lakers' connection and shared his ain sentiments.

LEBRON JAMES TELLS LOS ANGELES LAKERS HE WILL LEAVE IN FREE AGENCY AFTER EIGHT SEASONS: REPORT

Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James dunks during the 2nd fractional successful Game 4 of the NBA first-round playoff bid against the Denver Nuggets successful Los Angeles connected April 27, 2024. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

"No, THANK YOU! Truly a grant to deterioration the (purple and gold) portion trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came earlier me!" helium said. "Hope I made a fewer arrogant during my stint."

During his tenure with the Lakers, James won his 4th NBA championship, extended his grounds All-Star streak to 22 years and became the NBA's all-time starring scorer — yet different grounds helium continues to extend.

The Lakers reportedly wanted James back, but the four-time MVP was each acceptable — adjacent with his son, Bronny, connected the team. The Jameses became the archetypal father-son duo to not lone beryllium teammates successful the NBA, but besides to beryllium progressive astatine the aforesaid time.

It is worthy noting that Bronny's wage of much than $2.3 cardinal became afloat guaranteed connected Monday.

James joined the Lakers successful 2018 aft a 2nd stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers successful which helium yet brought a title to the Ohio metropolis aft 52 years.

James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds past season, helping the Lakers triumph a playoff bid portion Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nursing injuries.

Lakers guardant LeBron James brings the shot up tribunal during the 2nd fractional against the Washington Wizards successful Los Angeles, California, connected March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)

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The Golden State Warriors are presently the favorites to onshore James, which would crook a rivalry betwixt him and Stephen Curry into 1 of the astir star-powered dynamic duos successful sports history.

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