Lakers' new era opens with a thanks for the LeBron James era
Rob Pelinka, the president of basketball operations, starts the Thursday media session expressing gratitude to James while acknowledging excitement about the future.
Yahoo Sports · September 24, 2026
It didn't take long for Pelinka to pivot into Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and how they are now the leaders of the Lakers with James gone.
James informed the Lakers on June 30 that he had plans to play elsewhere, and thus began a new chapter for the Lakers. James, who signed with the 76ers , won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. He led the Lakers to the Western Conference second round of the 2026 playoffs.
Over the course of his 23-year NBA career, James' longest tenure had been with the Lakers.
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