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LeBron James not returning to Lakers, plans to play 24th season elsewhere, AP source says
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers and plans to play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere, a person with knowledge of those plans confirmed Tuesday.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because James had not revealed that decision public...
Key takeaway IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | 'We won': One pass ends LeBron James' historic 18-year streakA slew of options will be available to James on the open market, including Golden State.
Why this matters in The Waco
The news of LeBron James' departure from the Los Angeles Lakers may seem like a distant development to Waco residents, but it has implications for local basketball fans who follow the NBA. As the league's free agent period opens, James' potential move to a new team, such as the Golden State Warriors, could shift the balance of power in the Western Conference. For Baylor University basketball fans, this change could impact the teams they root for and against, as well as the potential for future matchups against James' new team. Additionally, James' record-extending 24th season will likely draw attention from local sports enthusiasts, who may be interested in seeing the NBA's oldest active player in action, potentially at the American Airlines Center in Dallas or the Toyota Center in Houston, both within driving distance from Waco.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers and plans to play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere, a person with knowledge of those plans confirmed Tuesday.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because James had not revealed that decision public...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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