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LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers in free agency
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- LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers in free agency
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For the first time in eight seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers will not have LeBron James on the team as the All-Star forward will not be returning to the franchise and will continue his playing career with another team via free agency. The Lakers took to social media to convey their gratitude for having James on their roster and what he was able to accomplish, and the 23-year veteran responded in kind, expressing his appreciation for getting to wear the purple and gold.
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"No, THANK YOU! Truly an honor to wear the purple and gold while trying to continue the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint," James posted on social media.
LeBron James' eight seasons with the Lakers were the longest he had ever stayed with one franchise consecutively throughout his career. He signed with the team as a free agent in the 2018 offseason and helped deliver a championship, the Lakers' first in 10 years, in only his second season with the franchise.
During his Lakers' career, he was named to seven All-NBA teams and was selected to eight All-Star appearances. His career averages with the franchise stand at 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 51.3 percent shooting from the field, 35.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 73 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
While wearing a Lakers jersey, James set many NBA records, perhaps the most significant being becoming the league's all-time leading scorer in February 2023. With his pending departure in free agency, the Lakers are expected to have around $52 million in cap space in which to now mold the roster around Luka Doncic .
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