{"id":2020152,"date":"2026-06-30T19:50:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2020152"},"modified":"2026-06-30T19:50:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:50:45","slug":"lebron-james-lakers-story-comes-to-a-close-without-a-hollywood-ending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2020152","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James\u2019 Lakers story comes to a close without a Hollywood ending"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Back in September, Rob Pelinka was asked about LeBron James\u2019 future after James chose to exercise the final year of his contract rather than pursue an extension or a new deal in the 2025 offseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would love if LeBron\u2019s story would be to retire as a Laker,\u201d Pelinka said. \u201cThat\u2019d be a positive story.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The story took a different turn Tuesday. Rather than retire as a Laker, James is leaving Los Angeles to finish his career elsewhere<\/a>, closing one of the most consequential six-year partnerships in franchise history.<\/p>\n

After eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances, James was an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Of 30 NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers had the most losses between the 2013-14 and 2017-18 seasons with 284. That was more than the Process-era Philadelphia 76ers and the Phil Jackson New York Knicks. More than the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves, all of whom were in various stages of postseason droughts that lasted at least a decade.<\/p>\n

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What are NBA lottery picks’ favorite LeBron memories?<\/div>\n
Eric Nehm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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