After playing eight seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA superstar LeBron James chose to part ways with the team and enter free agency for the fourth time in his career. In late July, he made headlines after finally deciding on which team he'll suit up for next. It wasn't the popular picks like his original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, or returning to South Beach, where he won two championships with the Miami Heat, but instead James chose the Philadelphia 76ers.
That, along with the 76ers trading with the Boston Celtics to get 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, created a major shift in the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Some believe that Philadelphia now has the best starting five in the league and is a serious championship contender. Meanwhile, it removed one of Los Angeles' two superstars from the roster, leaving Luka Doncic as the main franchise star.
During a recent media session, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka spoke about James' departure after helping the team capture a championship in 2020. More news: Angel Reese Exits Dream-Liberty Clash After Hard Flagrant Foul "The communications with them this offseason were held diplomatically and professionally. Honestly, I'm just so thankful for the partnership we had.
It continued up until this summer, when a decision was made for him to play for another team," Pelinka said. "It was done amicably, professionally, gracefully, and again, we looked at the whole thing with gratitude, because it's been an incredible era for us here," he told reporters. James wasn't the team's top option last season, but the 22-time All-Star was among their top three in the lineup and showed how effective he still is at 41 when Luka Doncic had to sit out the playoffs with an injury.
In the postseason, James helped lead the Lakers past the Houston Rockets, who had Kevin Durant for some of the series. The team then fell 4-0 to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round because James needed more help, and Doncic was stuck on the sidelines. While James has now joined a superteam in Philadelphia, the Lakers have attempted to build more around Doncic this offseason.
In July, the team added big man Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz, giving them a solid presence in the paint after also trading away former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton. The Lakers also made sure their emerging star guard, Austin Reaves, got paid, signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract extension, ensuring he's on the roster with Doncic. In addition, they signed multiple free agents, including guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, as well as center Kevon Looney.
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