LeBron exits Lakers for 76ers; Pelinka says departure 'done amicably'
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka expressed gratitude for the LeBron James era while unveiling a major roster overhaul headlined by center Walker Kessler.
What to know
- LeBron James left the Lakers after eight seasons to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, ending an era that included a 2020 championship and eight straight playoff appearances.
- Lakers GM Rob Pelinka characterized the exit as amicable with respectful communication, while the team pivoted to a roster rebuild headlined by center Walker Kessler ($130M, four years) and retained Austin Reaves.
- Pelinka and coach JJ Redick expressed optimism about the post-LeBron direction under new ownership, with James scheduled to return to LA on Christmas Day when the Sixers visit.
“I thought it would be appropriate, just at the front, to express gratitude for the LeBron era here. It was a great era and we're grateful for it.”
Rob Pelinka, Lakers GM · NY Post ↗
LeBron James Former Lakers starRob Pelinka Lakers GM and President of Basketball Operations
JJ Redick Lakers coach
Walker Kessler Center
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
-
1
Pelinka touts Lakers' offseason overhaul with Kessler, Reaves
Pelinka expressed confidence in the team's rebuild, highlighting the acquisition of center Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million deal and the retention of Austin Reaves as key pieces of the post-LeBron era under new ownership.
-
1 outlet first by ESPN NBA, 4d ago · read ↗
-
N
Rob Pelinka expresses his thoughts on the Lakers’ LeBron James era https://www. rawchili.com/nba/843369/ # 76ers # Basketball # NBA # Philadelphia # Philadelphia76ers # Philadelphia76ers
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
-
G
The Lakers are Luka's team now. To start his leadership journey, he brought them home https://www. nytimes.com/athletic/7626513/2 026/09/25/luka-doncic-lakers-leadership-slovenia/?smid=ta-android-share&source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.EFE.ukmt.bKAl3s-zqfYl
-
-
2
Pelinka expresses gratitude for LeBron era, calls exit amicable
During a Thursday preseason press conference, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka opened remarks by thanking LeBron James for his eight-year run, characterizing the departure as amicable with respectful communication between the Lakers and James' camp before his departure was announced.
“It was a great era and we're grateful for it.”
— Rob Pelinka -
first by PennLive, 16h ago · also Yahoo Sports, Forbes Business, Sporting News, MassLive, The Oregonian
8 more headlines
- Luka Dončić says it 'feels great' to be the leader of the Lakers following LeBron James' exit Yahoo Sports · 11h ago
- Luka Doncic embraces the pressure of leading the Lakers after LeBron James’ exit Yahoo Sports · 8h ago
- Luka Doncic says he's comfortable taking leadership role with Lakers after LeBron James' departure Yahoo Sports · 8h ago
- Lakers news: Luka Doncic 'feels great' despite LeBron James' offseason departure Yahoo Sports · 7h ago
- Luka Doncic Gets Honest About LeBron James Leaving Lakers Yahoo Sports · 6h ago
- Lakers’ Luka Doncic Embraces ‘New Challenge’ To Lead Without LeBron James Forbes Business · 6h ago
- Luka Doncic admits that he is sad about LeBron James' exit from the LA Lakers Yahoo Sports · 4h ago
- Luka Doncic Offers Blunt ‘Feels Great’ Response on Taking Lakers Reins From LeBron James Yahoo Sports · 3h ago
-
first by ESPN, 4d ago · also Sporting News, PennLive, MassLive, The Oregonian, ESPN NBA
2 more headlines
- Lakers GM Rob Pelinka makes feelings clear towards LeBron James leaving for 76ers in free agency Sporting News · 3d ago
- Lakers GM addresses LeBron leaving for Philadelphia PennLive · 3d ago
-
-
background
LeBron James signs with Philadelphia 76ers — The 41-year-old James won the free agency sweepstakes among NBA teams, joining the Philadelphia 76ers. In his final season with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds while leading LA to a 53-29 record.
-
background
LeBron James enters free agency after eight Lakers seasons — After eight seasons with the Lakers, including a 2020 championship and eight straight playoff appearances, LeBron James informed the team he would not return for the 2026-27 season and would enter free agency.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
-
first by Yahoo Sports, 4d ago · also Sporting News
5 more headlines
- ‘Luka Doncic’s World’s Greatest’: Pelinka Says Lakers Did ‘Special Things’ To Build Around 27-Year-Old After LeBron’s Philadelphia Exit Yahoo Sports · 3d ago
- Rob Pelinka says Luka Doncic doesn’t want to be Lakers GM Yahoo Sports · 2d ago
- NBA fans feel Rob Pelinka’s Luka Doncic GM clarification is a shot at LeBron James Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
- Lakers' Luka Doncic refusing to make the same LeBron James mistake with GM Rob Pelinka Sporting News · 1d ago
- Rob Pelinka Shares What Luka Doncic Wants From Him As GM Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
-
first by Yahoo Sports, 3d ago · also Newsweek
3 more headlines
- Lakers player goals for 2026-27 season: Luka Doncic Yahoo Sports · 13h ago
- Luka Doncic Drops Blunt Quote on Lakers' Championship Goals Newsweek · 11h ago
- Lakers news: Luka Doncic sends brilliant championship message to teammates Yahoo Sports · 7h ago
-
first by Sports Illustrated, 3d ago · also Yahoo Sports
1 more headline
- Rob Pelinka: It's still possible Lakers make a trade by opening night Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
-
2 outlets ‘We Are Co-Creators’ — Rob Pelinka Reveals Luka Dončić’s Influence on Lakers’ Roster Decisions
first by Yahoo Sports, 2d ago · also NY Post
1 more headline
-
first by Yahoo Sports, 2d ago · also NY Post
-
first by Yahoo Sports, 4d ago · also Forbes Business
1 more headline
- Lakers’ Rob Pelinka Had ‘Preliminary Discussions’ With New Owners Forbes Business · 4d ago
and 4 smaller pieces
What people are saying 8 voices from 1 site · best of 10 · verbatim
- Sep 24
-
I mean, what else could he say? Realistically, there seems to be no chance for the Lakers getting to the finals in the next few years in the west, taking a look at how far ahead Spurs/Thunder are, not to mention fierce competition for playoff contention (Twolves, Nuggets, Rockets) - and there are also upcoming franchises talent-wise like the Jazz…
-
I used the term correctly, because the Luka hype train is going to start dying down as he gets further away from actually leading a team to a Finals ring. It’s just hype , only to be let down once again. And at some point he needs to be knocked down a tier. That’s the reality. We have seen guys average triple doubles for a season. That isn’t new…
-
The phrase "music to my ears" is used when someone hears something confirmational and amazing that is typically desperately needed. I think you're looking for "hollow platitudes" or "rehearsed sound bytes." Don't mind me, just being that guy.
-
Second. We have so many bandwagon fans in the fandom that nobody is going to bat an eye at another. So hop on that wagon and join the ex-Clipper fans! The concept of fan loyalty is overrated and outdated anyways in my opinion. We participate in sports to relax and have fun, not too torture ourselves like Browns and Clippers fans. It's not worth…
-
I will never not get how Luka gets the blame for that finals when Kyrie shit down his leg harder than I've ever seen any second option do
-
I've seen Luka play awful defense with my eyes his whole career it's weird to spin it like it's just sheep following Stephen A Smith's instructions. 1 month of halfway OK effort post-asb doesn't change that.
- Sep 23
-
ofc meatless computer nerd is a fan of meatless shae. Youre whole point is luka didnt play in last years playoffs hence shae is better? Speaking of last years playoffs, did you see shae shit himself when he didnt get the whistle in the spurs series?
-
Luka has had better regular seasons than shai. shae keeps getting mvps bec of the insane and deep team around him. His only job is to score and hes only a decent passer. Luka is an equally good scorer with a higher ceiling and passes a lot better than sga. sga only has luka on defense. Both foul hunt the living hell out of the ball. And we KNOW…